[292] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time bhikkhunīs were staying right there in Rājagaha for the rains, there for the winter, there for the summer. People complained, criticized, and spread it about: "The directions are congested and dark for the bhikkhunīs; the directions are not clear to them."
The bhikkhunīs heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Then those bhikkhunīs reported this matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk on that account, in that connection, addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, I shall lay down a training rule for the bhikkhunīs, founded on ten reasons: for the excellence of the Saṅgha … for the endurance of the true Dhamma, for the support of the Vinaya. And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhunī, having completed the rains residence, not set out on a journey, even for a distance of five or six yojanas at the very least, she commits an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.