[561] Now at that time a certain woman whose husband was living away from home (pavutthapatikā) became pregnant by a lover. Having aborted the fetus (gabbha), she said this to a bhikkhunī who frequented her family (kulupikā): "Come, noble lady, carry this fetus away in your bowl." Then that bhikkhunī, having placed the fetus in her bowl and covered it with her outer robe (saṅghāṭi), went off.
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu who walked for alms had made an undertaking (samādāna): "Whatever almsfood I receive first, I will not eat it without having given of it to a bhikkhu or a bhikkhunī." Then that bhikkhu, seeing that bhikkhunī, said this: "Come, sister, accept almsfood." "Enough, noble sir." A second time that bhikkhu said this to that bhikkhunī: "Come, sister, accept almsfood." "Enough, noble sir." A third time that bhikkhu said this to that bhikkhunī: "Come, sister, accept almsfood." "Enough, noble sir." "Sister, I have made an undertaking: 'Whatever almsfood I receive first, I will not eat it without having given of it to a bhikkhu or a bhikkhunī.' Come, sister, accept almsfood."
Then that bhikkhunī, being pressed by that bhikkhu, brought out her bowl and showed it, saying: "See, noble sir — a fetus in the bowl; do not tell anyone." Then that bhikkhu was annoyed, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can a bhikkhunī carry a fetus away in a bowl?" Then that bhikkhu reported this matter to the bhikkhus. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … were annoyed, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can a bhikkhunī carry a fetus away in a bowl?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. … "Bhikkhus, a fetus is not to be carried away by a bhikkhunī in a bowl; whoever should carry one away commits an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa). I allow, bhikkhus, a bhikkhunī, on seeing a bhikkhu, to bring out her bowl and show it."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.