[416] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Udāyi was a frequenter of families in Sāvatthī and visited many families. Now at that time a certain woman whose husband had died was beautiful, fair to behold, and pleasing. Then the Venerable Udāyi, in the morning, having dressed and taken his bowl and robe, approached that woman's residence; having approached, he sat down on a seat that had been prepared. Then that woman approached the Venerable Udāyi; having approached and paid homage to the Venerable Udāyi, she sat down to one side. As she sat to one side, the Venerable Udāyi instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened that woman with talk on the Dhamma.
Then that woman, having been instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened by the Venerable Udāyi with talk on the Dhamma, said this to the Venerable Udāyi: "Speak, venerable sir, of whatever is needed. We are able to give to the master that which is to be given — namely robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick."
"Those things, sister, are not hard for us to obtain — namely robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Rather, give us that which is hard for us to obtain."
"What is that, venerable sir?"
"Sexual intercourse."
"Is it wanted, venerable sir?"
"It is wanted, sister."
Saying "Come, venerable sir," she entered the inner chamber, laid aside her garment, and lay down on her back upon the bed. Then the Venerable Udāyi approached that woman; having approached, he spat, saying "Who would touch this vile, foul-smelling creature?" and departed.
Then that woman grumbled, criticized, and spread it about: "These ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, are shameless, immoral, speakers of falsehood. For these very men will claim to be of even conduct, practicing the Dhamma, living the holy life, speakers of truth, virtuous, of good character. There is no asceticism in these men, there is no brahminhood in these men; the asceticism of these men is lost, the brahminhood of these men is lost. Whence is there asceticism in these men? Whence is there brahminhood in these men? These men have fallen away from asceticism; these men have fallen away from brahminhood. How indeed can the ascetic Udāyi, having himself asked me for sexual intercourse, spit, saying 'Who would touch this vile, foul-smelling creature?' and depart? What is bad about me? What is foul-smelling about me? In what, and to whom, am I inferior?"
Other women also grumbled, criticized, and spread it about: "These ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, are shameless, immoral, speakers of falsehood. For these very men will claim to be of even conduct, living the holy life, speakers of truth, virtuous, of good character. There is no asceticism in these men, there is no brahminhood in these men; the asceticism of these men is lost, the brahminhood of these men is lost. Whence is there asceticism in these men? Whence is there brahminhood in these men? These men have fallen away from asceticism; these men have fallen away from brahminhood. How indeed can the ascetic Udāyi, having himself asked this woman for sexual intercourse, spit, saying 'Who would touch this vile, foul-smelling creature?' and depart? What is bad about her? What is foul-smelling about her? In what, and to whom, is she inferior?"
Bhikkhus heard those women grumbling, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes, contented, conscientious, scrupulous, and desirous of the training grumbled, criticized, and spread it about: "How indeed can the Venerable Udāyi speak, in the presence of a woman, in praise of ministering to his own sensuality?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
Then the Blessed One, on that occasion and in that connection, having had the community of bhikkhus convened, questioned the Venerable Udāyi: "Is it true, as they say, Udāyi, that you spoke, in the presence of a woman, in praise of ministering to your own sensuality?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "It is unbecoming, foolish man, unsuitable, improper, unworthy of an ascetic, not allowable, not to be done. How indeed can you, foolish man, speak, in the presence of a woman, in praise of ministering to your own sensuality? Has not the Dhamma been taught by me in many ways for the sake of dispassion, not for passion … the stilling of the fevers of sensuality been declared? This, foolish man, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this rule of training (sikkhāpada): Whatever bhikkhu, overcome, with a mind perverted, should speak, in the presence of a woman, in praise of ministering to his own sensuality, saying: 'This, sister, is the foremost of ministrations — that a woman should minister with this act to one such as I, virtuous, of good character, living the holy life' — with words alluding to sexual intercourse — commits an offense entailing a formal meeting of the Saṅgha (saṅghādisesa)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.