[235] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a certain bhikkhunī (bhikkhunī), having walked for alms, spread out a wet robe and entered the dwelling. A certain [other] bhikkhunī, having put on that robe, entered the village for alms. She [the owner], having come out, asked the bhikkhunīs: "Ladies, would you have seen my robe?"
The bhikkhunīs informed that bhikkhunī of this matter. Then that bhikkhunī complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How indeed could a bhikkhunī put on my robe without asking?" Then that bhikkhunī informed the bhikkhunīs of this matter. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How indeed could a bhikkhunī put on a bhikkhunī's robe without asking?" …
"Is it true, as is said, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhunī put on a bhikkhunī's robe without asking?"¹
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked [her]: "How indeed, bhikkhus, could a bhikkhunī put on a bhikkhunī's robe without asking? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
'Whatever bhikkhunī should wear a robe that ought to be handed over (cīvarasaṅkamanīya), there is an offense entailing confession (pācittiya).'"
[¹ Variant noted in the Siam Raṭṭha edition: the Burmese (M.) and European (Yu.) editions read saṅghāṭicāraṃ.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.