[438] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the bhikkhunīs (bhikkhunī) were giving ordination (vuṭṭhāpenti) every year. The dwelling was not sufficient. People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the bhikkhunīs give ordination every year? The dwelling is not sufficient."
The bhikkhunīs heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the bhikkhunīs give ordination every year?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that the bhikkhunīs give ordination every year?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can the bhikkhunīs give ordination every year? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
'Whatever bhikkhunī should give ordination every year, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.