At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time a disciple of the nun Thullanandā was suffering, but Thullanandā neither nursed her nor made any effort to have someone else nurse her. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā not nurse a suffering disciple, nor make any effort to have someone else nurse her?” … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā didn’t do this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked her … “How could the nun Thullanandā not do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling ‘If a nun neither nurses a suffering disciple, nor makes any effort to have someone else nurse her, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions A: whoever … Nun: … The nun who has been given the full ordination in unanimity by both Sanghas through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of nun is meant in this case. Suffering: sick is what is meant. Disciple: a student is what is meant. Neither nurses: does not herself nurse her.