Theravāda Vinayapiṭaka
Nuns’ rules and their analysis
Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 82
… At Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns ordained every year; there were not sufficient dwellings. People … spread it about saying: “How can these nuns ordain every year? There are not sufficient dwellings.” Nuns heard these people who … spread it about. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns ordain every year?” …
“Is it true, as it is said, monks, that nuns ordain every year?”
“It is true, lord.”
The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:
“How, monks, can nuns ordain every year? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of raining:
“Whatever nun should ordain every year, there is an offence of expiation.”
Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.
Every year means: annually.
Should ordain means: … and an offence of wrong-doing for the group and for the woman teacher.
There is no offence if she ordains in the alternate (years); if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.