[449] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhunīs travelled in a vehicle. People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhunīs travel in a vehicle, just like women householders who enjoy sensual pleasures?"
The bhikkhunīs heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhunīs travel in a vehicle?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that the group-of-six bhikkhunīs travel in a vehicle?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can the group-of-six bhikkhunīs travel in a vehicle? 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 travel in a vehicle, there is an offence of expiation (pācittiya).'"
And thus this training rule was laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhunīs.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.