Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At that time the nuns from the group of six were teaching worldly subjects. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo tiracchānavijjaṁ vācenti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the nuns teach worldly subjects? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo tiracchānavijjaṁ vācessanti, 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 do this?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo tiracchānavijjaṁ vācessantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo tiracchānavijjaṁ vācentī”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 tiracchānavijjaṁ vācessanti. 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—