[405] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time bhikkhunīs gave ordination (vuṭṭhāpenti) to a maiden (kumārībhūtā) of full twenty years who had not trained for two years in the six dhammas. Those women were foolish and incompetent; they did not know what was allowable (kappiya) and what was not allowable.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can bhikkhunīs give ordination to a maiden of full twenty years who has not trained for two years in the six dhammas?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that bhikkhunīs give ordination to a maiden of full twenty years who has not trained for two years in the six dhammas?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs give ordination to a maiden of full twenty years who has not trained for two years in the six dhammas? 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 maiden eighteen years of age, of the training agreement (sikkhāsammati) in the six dhammas for two years. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given:
"That maiden eighteen years of age, 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: 'Ladies, I, named so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age, of the lady named so-and-so, request from the Saṅgha the training agreement in the six dhammas for two years.' It should be requested a second time; it should be requested a third time.
"The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhunī: 'Ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age, of the lady named so-and-so, requests from the Saṅgha the training agreement in the six dhammas for two years. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha give to so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age, the training agreement in the six dhammas for two years. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. This woman named so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age, of the lady named so-and-so, requests from the Saṅgha the training agreement in the six dhammas for two years. The Saṅgha gives to so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age, the training agreement in the six dhammas for two years. Any lady to whom the giving of the training agreement in the six dhammas for two years to so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age, is agreeable should remain silent; any to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'The training agreement in the six dhammas for two years has been given by the Saṅgha to so-and-so, a maiden eighteen years of age. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'
"That maiden eighteen years of age should be told, 'Say thus': 'I undertake the abstinence from killing living beings, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years. I undertake the abstinence from taking what is not given, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years. I undertake the abstinence from unchastity, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years. I undertake the abstinence from false speech, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years. I undertake the abstinence from liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years. I undertake the abstinence from eating at the wrong time, as an undertaking not to be transgressed for two years.'"
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 training rule:
"Should any bhikkhunī give ordination to a maiden of full twenty years who has not trained for two years in the six dhammas, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.