[384] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time bhikkhunīs were ordaining a married girl (gihigatā) who had completed twelve years but had not trained for two years in the six rules. Those girls were foolish and incompetent; they did not know what was allowable and what was not allowable.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhunīs ordain a married girl who has completed twelve years without her having trained for two years in the six rules?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs are ordaining a married girl who has completed twelve years without her having trained for two years in the six rules?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs ordain a married girl who has completed twelve years without her having trained for two years in the six rules? This, bhikkhus, is not conducive to 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 of the agreement to train (sikkhāsammati) in the six rules for two years to a married girl who has completed twelve years. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given:
"That married girl who has completed twelve years should approach the Saṅgha, arrange her upper robe over one shoulder, pay homage at the feet of the bhikkhunīs, squat down on her heels, raise her joined palms, and should speak thus: 'Ladies, I, named so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years, of the lady named so-and-so, request from the Saṅgha the agreement to train in the six rules for two years.' A second time it should be requested; a third time it should be requested.
"The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent, capable bhikkhunī: 'Ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years, of the lady named so-and-so, requests from the Saṅgha the agreement to train in the six rules for two years. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha may give to so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years, the agreement to train in the six rules for two years. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years, of the lady named so-and-so, requests from the Saṅgha the agreement to train in the six rules for two years. The Saṅgha gives to so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years, the agreement to train in the six rules for two years. Any lady to whom the giving of the agreement to train in the six rules for two years to so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years, is acceptable should remain silent; any to whom it is not acceptable should speak.
"'The agreement to train in the six rules for two years has been given by the Saṅgha to so-and-so, a married girl who has completed twelve years. It is acceptable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'
"That married girl who has completed twelve years 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 eating at the wrong time.'"
Then the Blessed One, having rebuked those bhikkhunīs in many ways on account of their being difficult to support … "And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhunī ordain a married girl who has completed twelve years without her having trained for two years in the six rules, there is an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.