[599] Now at that time a certain woman whose conception was already established (sannisinnagabbhā) had gone forth among the bhikkhunīs. After she had gone forth, the child in her womb was delivered. Then it occurred to that bhikkhunī: "How now should I proceed with regard to this boy?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow her to rear him until that boy reaches the years of discretion."
Then it occurred to that bhikkhunī: "It is not allowable for me to dwell alone, and it is not allowable for another bhikkhunī to dwell together with a boy. How now should I proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow that, having appointed (sammannitvā) one bhikkhunī, she be given to that bhikkhunī as a companion. And thus, bhikkhus, should she be appointed: first, the bhikkhunī should be asked; having asked her, the Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhunī:
"'Ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should appoint the bhikkhunī so-and-so as companion to the bhikkhunī so-and-so. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Ladies, let the Saṅgha hear me. The Saṅgha appoints the bhikkhunī so-and-so as companion to the bhikkhunī so-and-so. Whichever lady approves of the appointment of the bhikkhunī so-and-so as companion to the bhikkhunī so-and-so, let her be silent; whichever does not approve, let her speak.
"'The bhikkhunī so-and-so has been appointed by the Saṅgha as companion to the bhikkhunī so-and-so. It is approved by the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
Then it occurred to that companion bhikkhunī: "How now should I proceed with regard to this boy?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow her, except for [dwelling in] the same house, to behave toward that boy just as one behaves toward other men."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.