[416] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time bhikkhunīs who had completed twelve rains, but who had not been authorized (asammatā) by the Saṅgha, were giving ordination (vuṭṭhāpenti). They were ignorant and incompetent; they did not know what was allowable or unallowable (kappiya, akappiya). Their pupils (saddhivihārinī) too were ignorant and incompetent; they did not know what was allowable or unallowable.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, denounced, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhunīs who have completed twelve rains, but have not been authorized by the Saṅgha, give ordination?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs who have completed twelve rains, though not authorized by the Saṅgha, are giving ordination?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs who have completed twelve rains, though not authorized by the Saṅgha, give ordination? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of faith in those without faith …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, I allow the authorization to give ordination (vuṭṭhāpanasammuti) to be granted to a bhikkhunī who has completed twelve rains. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be granted: That bhikkhunī who has completed twelve rains should approach the Saṅgha, arrange her upper robe over one shoulder, pay homage at the feet of the senior bhikkhunīs, squat down on her heels, raise her joined palms, and speak thus: 'Venerable ladies, I, named so-and-so, a bhikkhunī who has completed twelve rains, request from the Saṅgha the authorization to give ordination.' A second time it should be requested; a third time it should be requested.
"The Saṅgha should assess that bhikkhunī: 'This bhikkhunī is competent and conscientious.' If she is ignorant and shameless, it should not be granted; if she is ignorant, though conscientious, it should not be granted; if she is competent, but shameless, it should not be granted; if she is both competent and conscientious, it should be granted. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be granted: The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhunī:
"'Venerable ladies, let the Saṅgha listen to me. This bhikkhunī named so-and-so, who has completed twelve rains, requests from the Saṅgha the authorization to give ordination. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should grant the authorization to give ordination to the bhikkhunī named so-and-so, who has completed twelve rains. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable ladies, let the Saṅgha listen to me. This bhikkhunī named so-and-so, who has completed twelve rains, requests from the Saṅgha the authorization to give ordination. The Saṅgha grants the authorization to give ordination to the bhikkhunī named so-and-so, who has completed twelve rains. Any venerable lady to whom the granting of the authorization to give ordination to the bhikkhunī named so-and-so, who has completed twelve rains, is agreeable should remain silent; any to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'The authorization to give ordination has been granted by the Saṅgha to the bhikkhunī named so-and-so, who has completed twelve rains. 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 for their being difficult to support … "And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhunī who has completed twelve rains, but has not been authorized by the Saṅgha, give ordination, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.