[544] Now at that time four or five bhikkhunīs (bhikkhunī) went for exhortation (ovāda). People complained, criticized, and spread it about in the same way: "These are their wives; these are their mistresses; now these men will take their pleasure together with these women." They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, exhortation should not be gone to by four or five bhikkhunīs. Should they go, there is an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa). I allow, bhikkhus, going for exhortation by two or three bhikkhunīs.
"Having approached one bhikkhu, having arranged the upper robe over one shoulder, having paid homage at his feet, having sat down squatting on the heels, having raised the joined palms, he should be addressed thus: 'Venerable sir, the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs pays homage at the feet of the Saṅgha of bhikkhus and requests the coming for exhortation; may the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs, venerable sir, obtain the coming for exhortation.'
"That bhikkhu, having approached the reciter of the Pātimokkha (pātimokkhuddesaka), should address him thus: 'Venerable sir, the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs pays homage at the feet of the Saṅgha of bhikkhus and requests the coming for exhortation; may the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs, venerable sir, obtain the coming for exhortation.'
"The reciter of the Pātimokkha should say: 'Is there any bhikkhu agreed upon (sammata) as an exhorter of bhikkhunīs (bhikkhunovādaka)?' If there is some bhikkhu agreed upon as an exhorter of bhikkhunīs, the reciter of the Pātimokkha should say: 'The bhikkhu named so-and-so is agreed upon as an exhorter of bhikkhunīs; let the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs approach him.' If there is no bhikkhu agreed upon as an exhorter of bhikkhunīs, the reciter of the Pātimokkha should say: 'Which venerable one is able to exhort the bhikkhunīs?' If someone is able to exhort the bhikkhunīs, and he is one endowed with the eight qualities, then, when he has been agreed upon, it should be announced: 'The bhikkhu named so-and-so is agreed upon as an exhorter of bhikkhunīs; let the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs approach him.' If no one is able to exhort the bhikkhunīs, the reciter of the Pātimokkha should say: 'There is no bhikkhu agreed upon as an exhorter of bhikkhunīs; may the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs accomplish their purpose through what inspires confidence.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.