[160] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a certain former concubine of the king (purāṇarājorodhā) had gone forth among the bhikkhunīs. A certain bhikkhunī, oppressed by discontent (anabhirati), approached that bhikkhunī, and having approached, said this to that bhikkhunī: "Lady, the king came to you only at long intervals — how did you bear it?"
"With a smoothed piece of lac (jatumaṭṭhaka), lady."
"What, lady, is this 'smoothed piece of lac'?"
Then that bhikkhunī explained the smoothed piece of lac to that bhikkhunī. Then that bhikkhunī, having used a smoothed piece of lac and forgotten to wash it, discarded it to one side. Bhikkhunīs, seeing it swarming with flies, said this: "Whose doing is this?"
She said this: "This is my doing."
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … They criticized it, deplored it, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can a bhikkhunī use a smoothed piece of lac?" …
"Is it true, as is said, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhunī used a smoothed piece of lac?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, can a bhikkhunī use a smoothed piece of lac? This, bhikkhus, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"'In using a smoothed piece of lac, there is an offense of pācittiya.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.