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 were wearing jewellery. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo itthālaṅkāraṁ dhārenti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can nuns wear jewellery? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo itthālaṅkāraṁ dhāressanti, seyyathāpi gihiniyo kāmabhoginiyo”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 from the group of six wear jewellery?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo itthālaṅkāraṁ dhāressantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo itthālaṅkāraṁ dhārentī”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 itthālaṅkāraṁ dhāressanti. 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—