[372] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time bhikkhunīs ordained (vuṭṭhāpenti) a probationer (sikkhamānā) who had not trained in the training in the six dhammas for two years. They were foolish and incompetent; they did not know what was allowable and what was not allowable.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can bhikkhunīs ordain a probationer who has not trained in the training in the six dhammas for two years?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs ordain a probationer who has not trained in the training in the six dhammas for two years?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs ordain a probationer who has not trained in the training in the six dhammas for two years? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, I allow the giving to a probationer of the agreement to train (sikkhāsammati) in the six dhammas for two years. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given. That probationer should approach the Sangha, arrange her upper robe over one shoulder, pay homage at the feet of the bhikkhunīs, sit down squatting on her heels, raise her joined palms, and should be told to say thus: 'Ladies, I, named so-and-so, a probationer under the lady named so-and-so, request from the Sangha the agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years.' A second time it should be requested; a third time it should be requested.
"The Sangha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhunī: 'Ladies, let the Sangha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a probationer under the lady named so-and-so, requests from the Sangha the agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years. If it is the right time for the Sangha, let the Sangha give to the probationer named so-and-so the agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Ladies, let the Sangha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a probationer under the lady named so-and-so, requests from the Sangha the agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years. The Sangha gives to the probationer named so-and-so the agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years. Any lady who approves of the giving to the probationer named so-and-so of the agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years should remain silent; any who does not approve should speak.
"'The agreement to train in the six dhammas for two years has been given by the Sangha to the probationer named so-and-so. It is approved by the Sangha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'
"That probationer should be told: 'Say thus: I undertake, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years, abstinence from the destruction of living beings. I undertake, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years, abstinence from taking what is not given. I undertake, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years, abstinence from unchastity. I undertake, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years, abstinence from false speech. I undertake, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years, abstinence from liquor, wine, and intoxicants, which are a basis for heedlessness. I undertake, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years, abstinence from eating at the wrong time.'"
Then the Blessed One, having rebuked those bhikkhunīs in many ways for their being difficult to support … "And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"Whatever bhikkhunī should ordain a probationer who has not trained in the training in the six dhammas for two years, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.