[153] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the Veḷuvana, the squirrels' feeding ground. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus, at the robe-making season, asked for a large quantity of thread. Even when the robe had been made, much thread was left over. Then it occurred to the group-of-six bhikkhus: "Come, friends, let us ask for still more thread and have weavers weave a robe." Then the group-of-six bhikkhus, having asked for still more thread, had weavers weave a robe. Even when the robe had been woven, much thread was left over. A second time the group-of-six bhikkhus, having asked for still more thread, had weavers weave a robe. Even when the robe had been woven, much thread was left over. A third time the group-of-six bhikkhus, having asked for still more thread, had weavers weave a robe.
People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, having themselves asked for thread, have weavers weave a robe?"
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus, having themselves asked for thread, have weavers weave a robe?"
Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you, having yourselves asked for thread, had weavers weave a robe?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men (moghapurisā), having yourselves asked for thread, have weavers weave a robe? This, foolish men, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of confidence in those already confident …"
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
Should any bhikkhu, having himself asked for thread, have weavers weave a robe, it entails expiation with forfeiture (nissaggiya pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.