That Licchavī man then went to Sāvatthī in search of his wife. When he saw that she had been given the going forth as a nun, he went to King Pasenadi of Kosala and said, “Sir, my wife took my most valuable possessions and came to Sāvatthī. Please permit me to deal with her.” “Well then, find her and then inform me.” “I’ve seen her. She’s gone forth as a nun.” “If she’s gone forth as a nun, there’s nothing that can be done. The Teaching of the Buddha is well-proclaimed. Let her practice the spiritual life for the full ending of suffering.” Then that Licchavī man complained and criticized the nuns, “How could the nuns give the going forth to a criminal?” The nuns heard the complaints of that Licchavī man, and the nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā give the going forth to a criminal?” The nuns told the monks. … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked her … “How could the nun Thullanandā give the going forth to a criminal? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling ‘If a nun, without getting permission from the king or the Sangha or a community or an association or a society, knowingly gives the full admission to a female criminal who is known as sentenced to death, then, except when it is allowable, that nun too has committed an immediate offense entailing sending away and suspension.’”

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. She knows: she knows by herself or others have told her or she has told her. A female criminal: any female who has stolen anything worth five <i lang='pi' translate='no'>māsaka</i> coins or more is called “a female criminal”. Sentenced to death: she has been sentenced to death because of her action.