[376] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time bhikkhunīs gave ordination (vuṭṭhāpenti) to a sikkhamānā who had trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas but who had not been agreed upon by the Saṅgha. The bhikkhunīs would say: "Come, sikkhamānās, find out about this, give this, bring this, there is need of this, make this allowable (kappiya)." They replied: "Noble ladies, we are not sikkhamānās; we are bhikkhunīs."
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhunīs give ordination to a sikkhamānā who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas but who has not been agreed upon by the Saṅgha?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs give ordination to a sikkhamānā who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas but who has not been agreed upon by the Saṅgha?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs give ordination to a sikkhamānā who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas but who has not been agreed upon by the Saṅgha? 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: "I allow, bhikkhus, the giving of the agreement for ordination (vuṭṭhāna-sammati) to a sikkhamānā who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given:
"That sikkhamānā who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas, having approached the Saṅgha, having arranged her upper robe over one shoulder, having paid homage at the feet of the bhikkhunīs, having sat down on her heels and raised her joined palms, should speak thus: 'Noble ladies, I, named so-and-so, a sikkhamānā of the noble lady so-and-so, having trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas, request the Saṅgha for the agreement for ordination.' She should request a second time; she should request a third time.
"The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhunī: 'Noble ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a sikkhamānā of the noble lady so-and-so, having trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas, requests the Saṅgha for the agreement for ordination. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should give the agreement for ordination to so-and-so, who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Noble ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a sikkhamānā of the noble lady so-and-so, having trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas, requests the Saṅgha for the agreement for ordination. The Saṅgha gives the agreement for ordination to so-and-so, who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas. Whichever noble lady approves of the giving of the agreement for ordination to so-and-so, who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas, she should remain silent; whichever does not approve, she should speak.
"'The agreement for ordination has been given by the Saṅgha to so-and-so, who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas. It is approved by the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
Then the Blessed One, having rebuked those bhikkhunīs in many ways, spoke of the fault of being difficult to support … "And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this rule of training: Whatever bhikkhunī should give ordination to a sikkhamānā who has trained for two years in the training in the six dhammas but who has not been agreed upon by the Saṅgha, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.