… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the nun Thullanandā, having ordained the woman who lived with her, for two years neither helped her nor had her helped. These were ignorant, inexperienced, they did not know what was allowable or what was not allowable. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can the lady Thullanandā, having ordained the woman who lives with her, for two years neither help her nor have her helped?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that the nun Thullanandā … nor had her helped?”

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying: “How, monks, can the nun Thullanandā … nor have her helped? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:

“Whatever nun, having ordained the woman who lives with her, for two years should neither help her nor have her helped, there is an offence of expiation.”

Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.

Woman who lives with her means: she is called the one who shares her cell.

Having ordained means: having conferred the upasampada ordination.

Two years means: two years.

Should neither help her means: should not herself help her in regard to the exposition, the interrogation, the exhortation, the instruction.

Nor should have her helped means: should not command another.

If for two years she thinks: “I will neither help her nor have her helped,” in throwing off the responsibility, there is an offence of expiation.

There is no offence if there is an obstacle; if having looked about she does not get the chance; if she is ill; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.