[61] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the bhikkhunī Caṇḍakāḷī, having quarrelled with the bhikkhunīs, angry and displeased, spoke thus: "I renounce the Buddha, I renounce the Dhamma, I renounce the Saṅgha, I renounce the training (sikkhā). What, are these the only ascetic women (samaṇī)—these ascetic women who are daughters of the Sakyan? There are other ascetic women too, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training; I shall live the holy life (brahmacariya) in their presence."
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the lady Caṇḍakāḷī, angry and displeased, speak thus: 'I renounce the Buddha … I renounce the training. What, are these the only ascetic women—these ascetic women who are daughters of the Sakyan? There are other ascetic women too, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training; I shall live the holy life in their presence'?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that the bhikkhunī Caṇḍakāḷī, angry and displeased, speaks thus: 'I renounce the Buddha … I renounce the training. What, are these the only ascetic women—these ascetic women who are daughters of the Sakyan? There are other ascetic women too, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training; I shall live the holy life in their presence'?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked her: "How, bhikkhus, can the bhikkhunī Caṇḍakāḷī, angry and displeased, speak thus: 'I renounce the Buddha … I renounce the training. What, are these the only ascetic women—these ascetic women who are daughters of the Sakyan? There are other ascetic women too, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training; I shall live the holy life in their presence'? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhunī, angry and displeased, speak thus: 'I renounce the Buddha … I renounce the training. What, are these the only ascetic women—these ascetic women who are daughters of the Sakyan? There are other ascetic women too, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training; I shall live the holy life in their presence,' that bhikkhunī should be spoken to thus by the bhikkhunīs: 'Do not, noble lady, angry and displeased, speak thus: "I renounce the Buddha … I renounce the training. What, are these the only ascetic women—these ascetic women who are daughters of the Sakyan? There are other ascetic women too, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training; I shall live the holy life in their presence." Take delight, noble lady! The Dhamma is well proclaimed; live the holy life for the complete making an end of suffering (dukkha).' And should that bhikkhunī, being spoken to thus by the bhikkhunīs, persist just so, that bhikkhunī should be admonished by the bhikkhunīs up to the third time for the relinquishing of that. If, being admonished up to the third time, she relinquishes it, that is good; if she does not relinquish it, this bhikkhunī too has fallen into an offence upon the third admonition (yāvatatiyaka), a saṅghādisesa entailing removal (nissāraṇīya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.