Chattupāhnavaggasikkhābada

Vinayapiṭaka · Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga · Vol. 3 · Section 476

[476] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time bhikkhunīs asked a question of a bhikkhu without leave having been obtained (anokāsakata). Bhikkhus criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhunīs ask a question of a bhikkhu without leave having been obtained?" … "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhunīs ask a question of a bhikkhu without leave having been obtained?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "Bhikkhus, how can bhikkhunīs ask a question of a bhikkhu without leave having been obtained? This, bhikkhus, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence … "And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): "Whatever bhikkhunī should ask a question of a bhikkhu without leave having been obtained, there is an offense of pācittiya."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

This passage also appears in 5 other places