[258] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time two bhikkhunīs were lying down together on one bed. People, wandering about on a tour of the dwellings, saw this and complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can two bhikkhunīs lie down together on one bed, just like householder women who enjoy sensual pleasures?"
Bhikkhunīs heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can two bhikkhunīs lie down together on one bed?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that two bhikkhunīs lie down together on one bed?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can two bhikkhunīs lie down together on one bed? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"'Should any bhikkhunīs, two together, lie down on one bed, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya).'"
[Note ¹: Yu. reads gihi; M. reads gihī.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.