[342] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a certain brahmin invited the bhikkhunīs and served them a meal. The bhikkhunīs, having eaten and refused an offer of further food (pavāritā), went to the families of their relatives; some ate, while some took almsfood and went away.
Then that brahmin said to his neighbors: "The ladies, the bhikkhunīs, have been satisfied by me. Come, I shall satisfy you as well."
They said this: "How, sir, will you satisfy us? Even those whom you invited came to our houses; some ate, while some took almsfood and went away."
Then that brahmin complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can the bhikkhunīs, having eaten in our house, eat elsewhere? Am I not able to give as much as is wanted?"
The bhikkhunīs heard that brahmin complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can bhikkhunīs, having eaten and refused an offer of further food, eat elsewhere?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs, having eaten and refused an offer of further food, eat elsewhere?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs, having eaten and refused an offer of further food, eat elsewhere? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence …. And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Whatever bhikkhunī, being invited, or having refused an offer of further food, should chew hard food or eat soft food, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.