Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. the nuns from the group of six wore their sarongs hanging down in front and behind. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo puratopi pacchatopi olambentī nivāsenti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can nuns wear their sarongs hanging down in front and behind? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo puratopi pacchatopi olambentī nivāsessanti, seyyathāpi gihiniyo kāmabhoginiyo”ti.

The nuns heard the complaints of those people, Assosuṁ kho bhikkhuniyo tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. and the nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the nuns from the group of six wear their sarongs hanging down in front and behind?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo puratopi pacchatopi olambentī nivāsessantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo puratopi pacchatopi olambentī nivāsentī”ti?

“It’s true, Sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “How can the nuns from the group of six do this? kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo puratopi pacchatopi olambentī nivāsessanti. This will affect people’s confidence …” … Netaṁ, bhikkhave, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—