At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, a certain nun was returning from almsround in Sāvatthī. She saw a monk and said to him, “Here, venerable, please take some almsfood.” Saying, “Alright, sister,” he took everything. But because the time for eating was coming to an end, she was not able to go for alms, and she missed her meal. The next day and the following day the same thing happened again. On the fourth day that nun was walking along a street, trembling. A wealthy merchant coming by carriage in the opposite direction saw her and shouted out, “Watch out, venerable!” As she stepped aside, she collapsed right there. The merchant asked her for forgiveness: “Forgive me, venerable, since you fell because of me.” “I didn’t fall because of you, but because I’m weak.” “But why are you so weak?” The nun told him what had happened. He then brought her to his house and gave her a meal. Afterwards he complained and criticized the monks, “How can the venerables receive food directly from a nun? It’s difficult for women to get material support.” The monks heard the complaints of that merchant, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized that monk, “How could a monk receive food directly from a nun?” … “Is it true, monk, that you did this?” “It’s true, sir.” “Is she a relative of yours?” “No, sir.” “Foolish man, a man and a woman who are unrelated don’t know what’s appropriate and inappropriate, what’s good and bad, in dealing with each other. And still you did this. This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling ‘If a monk receives fresh or cooked food directly from an unrelated nun who has entered an inhabited area, and then eats it, he must acknowledge it:

“I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’”

Definitions A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.