[188] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time, a male relative of a bhikkhunī who was a pupil (antevāsinī) of Bhaddā Kāpilānī came from a village to Sāvatthī on some business. Then that bhikkhunī, [thinking,] "It has been prohibited by the Blessed One to stand together or converse together with a man, one with one, in the dark of night when there is no lamp," both stood together and conversed together with that very man, one with one, in a concealed place.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How indeed can a bhikkhunī both stand together and converse together with a man, one with one, in a concealed place?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as they say, that a bhikkhunī both stood together and conversed together with a man, one with one, in a concealed place?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked [her]: "How indeed, bhikkhus, could a bhikkhunī both stand together and converse together with a man, one with one, in a concealed place? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Should any bhikkhunī stand together, one with one, with a man in a concealed place, or converse together [with him], she commits an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.