[435] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the Veḷuvana, at the Squirrels' Feeding Ground (Kalandakanivāpa). Now at that time the bhikkhunī Thullanandā, saying, "I shall ordain a probationer (sikkhamānā)," convened the elder bhikkhus; but on seeing abundant food, both hard and soft, she dismissed the elder bhikkhus, saying, "Venerable sirs, I shall not ordain the probationer just yet," and having convened Devadatta, Kokālika, Kaṭamorakatissaka the son of Khaṇḍadevī, and Samuddadatta, she ordained the probationer.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can the lady Thullanandā ordain a probationer by the giving of lapsed consent?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that the bhikkhunī Thullanandā ordained a probationer by the giving of lapsed consent?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them, saying: "Bhikkhus, how could the bhikkhunī Thullanandā ordain a probationer by the giving of lapsed consent? This, bhikkhus, does not conduce to the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"Whatever bhikkhunī should ordain a probationer by the giving of lapsed consent, there is an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.