[147] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a certain lay follower had made an open invitation (pavārita) of garlic to the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs, saying, "Whichever noble ladies have need of garlic — I [will supply them] with garlic." And the keeper of the field had been instructed: "If bhikkhunīs come, give two or three bundles to each bhikkhunī."
Now at that time there was a festival in Sāvatthī. The garlic, as fast as it was brought in, became exhausted. The bhikkhunīs approached that lay follower and said this: "Friend, we have need of garlic."
"There is none, noble ladies. The garlic, as it was brought in, has been used up. Go to the field."
The bhikkhunī Thullanandā, having gone to the field, not knowing moderation, had a great quantity of garlic carried away. The keeper of the field criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying, "How can bhikkhunīs, having gone to the field, not knowing moderation, have a great quantity of garlic carried away?"
The bhikkhunīs heard the keeper of the field criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying, "How can the noble lady Thullanandā, not knowing moderation, have a great quantity of garlic carried away?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that the bhikkhunī Thullanandā, not knowing moderation, has had a great quantity of garlic carried away?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked her: "How, bhikkhus, could the bhikkhunī Thullanandā, not knowing moderation, have a great quantity of garlic carried away? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those who have confidence; rather, bhikkhus, this is for the lack of confidence of those without confidence, and for the wavering of some who have confidence."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.