[118] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time lay followers (upāsakā), having collected a voluntary contribution (chandaka) for the sake of robe-cloth for the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs, deposited the fund (parikkhāra) at the house of a certain cloak-merchant, approached the bhikkhunīs, and said this: "Ladies, a fund for the sake of robe-cloth has been deposited at the house of such-and-such a cloak-merchant; have robe-cloth brought from there and distribute it."
The bhikkhunīs, having themselves had that fund exchanged for medicine, made use of it.
The lay followers, having come to know of it, complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhunīs exchange for something else a fund intended for one purpose, designated for another use, belonging to the Saṅgha?"
The bhikkhunīs heard those lay followers complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhunīs exchange for something else a fund intended for one purpose, designated for another use, belonging to the Saṅgha?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that bhikkhunīs exchange for something else a fund intended for one purpose, designated for another use, belonging to the Saṅgha?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs exchange for something else a fund intended for one purpose, designated for another use, belonging to the Saṅgha? This, bhikkhus, is not for the gaining of confidence by those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
'Whatever bhikkhunī should exchange for something else a fund intended for one purpose, designated for another use, belonging to the Saṅgha, this entails an offense of expiation with forfeiture (nissaggiya pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.