[231] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time bhikkhunīs, having deposited a robe in the hands of bhikkhunīs, set out wandering the countryside with only the inner and upper robes. Those robes, having been laid aside for a long time, became stained with mold. The bhikkhunīs sunned them out. The bhikkhunīs said this to those bhikkhunīs: "Whose, ladies, are these robes that are stained with mold?"
Then those bhikkhunīs informed the bhikkhunīs of this matter.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can bhikkhunīs, having deposited a robe in the hands of bhikkhunīs, set out wandering the countryside with only the inner and upper robes?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs, having deposited a robe in the hands of bhikkhunīs, set out wandering the countryside with only the inner and upper robes?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs, having deposited a robe in the hands of bhikkhunīs, set out wandering the countryside with only the inner and upper robes? 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 let the five-day turn for the outer robe (saṅghāṭi) pass, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.