Theravāda Vinayapiṭaka
Nuns’ rules and their analysis
Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 85
… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the group of six nuns went in a vehicle. People … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns go in a vehicle, like women householders who enjoy pleasures of the senses?” Nuns heard these people who … spread it about. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can this group of six nuns go in a vehicle?” …
“Is it true, as is said, monks, that the group of six nuns went in a vehicle?”
“It is true, lord.”
The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:
“How, monks, can this group of six nuns go in a vehicle? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:
“Whatever nun should go in a vehicle, there is an offence of expiation.”
And thus this rule of training for nuns came to be laid down by the lord.
Now at that time a certain nun came to be ill. She was not able to go on foot. They told this matter to the lord. He said: “I allow, monks, a vehicle for a nun who is ill. And thus, monks … this rule of training:
“Whatever nun who is not ill should go in a vehicle, there is an offence of expiation.”
Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.
Not ill means: she is able to go on foot.
Ill means: she is not able to go on foot.
Vehicle means: a cart, a carriage, a waggon, a chariot, a palanquin, or a sedan chair.
Should go means: if she goes even once, there is an offence of expiation.
If she thinks that she is not ill when she is not ill (and) goes in a vehicle, there is an offence of expiation. If she is in doubt as to whether she is not ill … If she thinks that she is ill when she is not ill … offence of expiation. If she thinks that she is not ill when she is ill, there is an offence of wrong-doing. If she is in doubt as to whether she is ill, there is an offence of wrong-doing. If she thinks that she is ill when she is ill, there is no offence.
There is no offence if she is ill; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.