… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns sat down on a seat in front of a monk without asking (for permission). Monks … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns … without asking (for permission)?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that nuns … without asking (for permission)?”

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:

“How, monks, can nuns … without asking (for permission)? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:

“Whatever nun should sit down on a seat in front of a monk without asking (for permission), there is an offence of expiation.”

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

In front of a monk means: in front of one who is ordained.

Without asking (for permission) means: not having obtained permission.

Should sit down on a seat means: if she sits down even on the ground, there is an offence of expiation.

If she thinks that she has not asked (for permission) when she has not asked (for permission and) sits down on a seat, there is an offence of expiation. If she is in doubt as to whether she has not asked (for permission) … If she thinks that she has asked (for permission) when she has not asked (for permission) … there is an offence of expiation. If she thinks that she has not asked (for permission) when she has asked (for permission), there is an offence of wrong-doing. If she is in doubt as to whether she has asked (for permission), there is an offence of wrong-doing. If she thinks that she has asked (for permission) when she has asked (for permission), there is no offence.

There is no offence if, having asked (for permission), she sits down on a seat; if she is ill; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.