[388] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time bhikkhunīs were ordaining a married girl (gihigatā) who was fully twelve years old and who had trained for two years in the six dhammas, but who had not been agreed to by the Saṅgha. The bhikkhunīs said thus: "Come, sikkhamānās, learn this, give this, bring this, there is need of this, make this allowable (kappiya)." They said thus: "Ladies, we are not sikkhamānās; we are bhikkhunīs."
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhunīs ordain a married girl who is fully twelve years old and who has trained for two years in the six dhammas, when she has not been agreed to by the Saṅgha?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that bhikkhunīs are ordaining a married girl who is fully twelve years old and who has trained for two years in the six dhammas, when she has not been agreed to by the Saṅgha?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs ordain a married girl who is fully twelve years old and who has trained for two years in the six dhammas, when she has not been agreed to by the Saṅgha? 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 for ordination (vuṭṭhānasammuti) to a married girl who is fully twelve years old and who has trained for two years in the six dhammas. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given:
"That married girl, fully twelve years old, who has trained for two years 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 squatted on her heels and raised her joined palms, should speak thus: 'Ladies, I, so-and-so, a married girl of the lady so-and-so, fully twelve years old, having trained for two years in the six dhammas, request from the Saṅgha the agreement for ordination.' A second time it should be requested; a third time it should be requested.
"The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhunī: 'Ladies, let the Saṅgha listen to me. This so-and-so, a married girl of the lady so-and-so, fully twelve years old, having trained for two years in the six dhammas, requests from the Saṅgha the agreement for ordination. If it seems fitting to the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha may give the agreement for ordination to so-and-so, a married girl fully twelve years old who has trained for two years in the six dhammas. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Ladies, let the Saṅgha listen to me. This so-and-so, a married girl of the lady so-and-so, fully twelve years old, having trained for two years in the six dhammas, requests from the Saṅgha the agreement for ordination. The Saṅgha gives the agreement for ordination to so-and-so, a married girl fully twelve years old who has trained for two years in the six dhammas. Any lady to whom the giving of the agreement for ordination to so-and-so, a married girl fully twelve years old who has trained for two years in the six dhammas, is agreeable, should remain silent; any to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'The agreement for ordination has been given by the Saṅgha to so-and-so, a married girl fully twelve years old who has trained for two years in the six dhammas. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
Then the Blessed One, having rebuked those bhikkhunīs in many ways, having spoken of the fault of being difficult to support … "And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule: Should any bhikkhunī ordain a married girl fully twelve years old who has trained for two years in the six dhammas but who has not been agreed to by the Saṅgha, there is an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.