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 bathing with scents and colors. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo gandhavaṇṇakena nahāyanti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can nuns bathe with scents and colors? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo gandhavaṇṇakena nahāyissanti, 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 bathe with scents and colors?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo gandhavaṇṇakena nahāyissantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo gandhavaṇṇakena nahāyantī”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 gandhavaṇṇakena nahāyissanti. 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—