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 were using high and luxurious couches. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhuniyo āsandimpi pallaṅkampi paribhuñjanti. When people walking about the dwellings saw this, they complained and criticized them, Manussā vihāracārikaṁ āhiṇḍantā passitvā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can nuns use high and luxurious couches? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo āsandimpi pallaṅkampi paribhuñjissanti, 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 nuns do this?” … “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo āsandimpi pallaṅkampi paribhuñjissantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo āsandimpi pallaṅkampi paribhuñjantī”ti?

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

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “How can nuns do this? kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo āsandimpi pallaṅkampi paribhuñjissanti. 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—