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 were giving full admission every year, and the nuns’ dwelling place did not have sufficient capacity. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhuniyo anuvassaṁ vuṭṭhāpenti, upassayo na sammati. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the nuns give full admission every year, when the nuns’ dwelling place doesn’t have sufficient capacity?” “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo anuvassaṁ vuṭṭhāpessanti, upassayo na sammatī”ti.

The nuns heard the complaints of those people. Assosuṁ kho bhikkhuniyo tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the nuns give full admission every year?” … “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo anuvassaṁ vuṭṭhāpessantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that the nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo anuvassaṁ vuṭṭhāpentī”ti?

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

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “How can the nuns do this? kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo anuvassaṁ vuṭṭhāpessanti. 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—