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1. Now at that time Bhikkhunîs in Samgha assembled, having fallen into quarrel, strife, and dispute, got to blows, and were unable to settle the point at issue. They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to settle for Bhikkhunîs a point at issue.'
Now at that time Bhikkhus were settling for Bhikkhunîs a point at issue, and as the point at issue was being enquired into, it was found that both Bhikkhunîs competent to take part in an official act 1, and Bhikkhunîs who had been guilty of an offence (had taken part in the Samgha during the official act (the Kamma) at which the point in issue arose).
The Bhikkhunîs said: 'It would be well if you, Sirs, would carry out disciplinary proceedings against the guilty Bhikkhunîs, or absolve their offence: for
thus has it been laid down by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus are to settle for the Bhikkhunîs a point at issue."'
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to set on foot 1 an official act for Bhikkhunîs, and then to give it in charge for Bhikkhunîs to carry out the official act against Bhikkhunîs. And I allow Bhikkhus to set on foot the (dealing with an) offence for Bhikkhunîs, and then to give it in charge for Bhikkhunîs to accept the confession thereof.'
333:1 Kammappattâ; on which see Parivâra XIX, 6, 7.