The nuns heard the complaints of those people. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns from the group of six wear jewelry?” … “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “How can the nuns from the group of six do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling ‘If a nun wears jewelry, 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. Jewelry: what goes on the head, what goes around the neck, what goes on the hands, what goes on the feet, what goes around the hips. Wears: if she wears it even once, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Non-offenses There is no offense: if she does it because she is sick; if she is insane; if she is the first offender. The fourth training rule is finished.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Nuns’ Analysis The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on sunshades and sandals Bathing in scents and colors

Origin story At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the nuns from the group of six were bathing with scents and colors. People complained and criticized them, “How can nuns bathe with scents and colors? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”