[239] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a family that supported the bhikkhunī (bhikkhunī) Thullanandā said this to the bhikkhunī Thullanandā: "Noble lady, we shall give robe-cloth to the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs."
The bhikkhunī Thullanandā made an obstruction, saying: "You have many duties, many things to be done."
Now at that time the house of that family burned down. They criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed could the noble lady Thullanandā make an obstruction to our offering (deyyadhamma)? We are deprived of both — of wealth and of merit."
The bhikkhunīs heard those people criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed could the noble lady Thullanandā make an obstruction to a group's gain of robe-cloth?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that the bhikkhunī Thullanandā makes an obstruction to a group's gain of robe-cloth?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, could the bhikkhunī Thullanandā make an obstruction to a group's gain of robe-cloth? This, bhikkhus, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Should any bhikkhunī make an obstruction to a group's gain of robe-cloth, it is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.