[441] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time bhikkhunīs (bhikkhunī) were ordaining (vuṭṭhāpeti) two in one year¹. The dwelling, just as before, did not suffice. People, just as before, criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhunīs ordain two in one year? The dwelling, just as before, does not suffice."
The bhikkhunīs heard those people criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhunīs ordain two in one year?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs are ordaining two in one year?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhunīs ordain two in one 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 ordain two in one year, there is an offense of pācittiya."
¹ Yu (variant reading): ekavassaṃ. So it is to be understood throughout.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.