[35] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time, in Vesālī, the wife of a certain Licchavi was unfaithful. Then that Licchavi said to that woman: "It would be good if you desist; I shall do you harm." Though she was spoken to thus, she did not heed him. Now at that time the assembly of Licchavis in Vesālī had gathered on some business or other. Then that Licchavi said to those Licchavis: "Sirs, grant me one woman." "Who is she?" "My wife is unfaithful; I shall kill her." "Know it yourself [do as you see fit]."
That woman heard: "My husband, it seems, wishes to kill me," and taking her choicest goods she went to Sāvatthī and, approaching members of another sect (titthiyā), asked for the going forth (pabbajjā). The members of the other sect did not wish to let her go forth. Approaching the bhikkhunīs, she asked for the going forth. The bhikkhunīs too did not wish to let her go forth. Approaching the bhikkhunī Thullanandā, she showed her the bundle of goods and asked for the going forth. The bhikkhunī Thullanandā took the bundle of goods and gave her the going forth.
Then that Licchavi, searching for that woman, went to Sāvatthī, and having seen her gone forth among the bhikkhunīs, he approached King Pasenadi of Kosala; having approached, he said to King Pasenadi of Kosala: "Sire, my wife, having taken choice goods, has arrived at Sāvatthī. May Your Majesty give her over [to me]." "Well then, sir, search her out and inform me." "She has been seen, sire — gone forth among the bhikkhunīs." "If, sir, she has gone forth among the bhikkhunīs, nothing can be done to her. Well proclaimed is the Dhamma; let her live the holy life for the complete making an end of suffering (dukkha)."
Then that Licchavi criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can the bhikkhunīs let a thief go forth?" The bhikkhunīs heard that Licchavi criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can the lady Thullanandā let a thief go forth?" Then those bhikkhunīs reported this matter to the bhikkhus. … "Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that the bhikkhunī Thullanandā let a thief go forth?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked her: "Bhikkhus, how can the bhikkhunī Thullanandā let a thief go forth? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
'Whatever bhikkhunī should knowingly ordain (vuṭṭhāpeyya) a woman thief known to be condemned to death, without having obtained permission from the king, or the Saṅgha, or a group, or a guild, or a company — except when it is allowable — this bhikkhunī too has committed a matter entailing an offense at the first act (paṭhamāpattika), a saṅghādisesa entailing sending away (nissāraṇīya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.