That companion nun thought, “How should I act in regard to this boy?” They told the Buddha. “Apart from staying in the same dwelling, the companion nun should act toward him as she would toward any other male.”

On one occasion a nun who had committed a heavy offense was undertaking the trial period. She thought, “I’m not allowed to stay by myself and other nuns are not allowed to stay with me. What should I do now?” They told the Buddha. “You should appoint a nun as her companion. And she should be appointed like this. First a nun should be asked, and then a capable and competent nun should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it should appoint nun so-and-so as a companion to nun so-and-so. This is the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha appoints nun so-and-so as a companion to nun so-and-so. Any nun who approves of appointing nun so-and-so as a companion to nun so-and-so should remain silent. Any nun who doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has appointed nun so-and-so as a companion to nun so-and-so. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’”