[169] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time, in Sāvatthī, a meal together with robes had been prepared for the Saṅgha by a certain guild (pūga), with the thought: "Having fed them, we shall clothe them with robes." Then the bhikkhus of the group of six approached that guild, and having approached, they said this to that guild: "Friends, give these robes to us."
"Venerable sirs, we cannot give them; alms-food together with robes has been arranged by us for the Saṅgha annually."
"Friends, the Saṅgha has many donors; the Saṅgha has many providers of meals. It is depending on you, looking to you, that we dwell here. If you will not give to us, then who indeed will give to us? Give these robes to us, friends."
Then that guild, being pressed by the bhikkhus of the group of six, gave the robes as they had been prepared to the bhikkhus of the group of six, and served the Saṅgha with the meal.
Those bhikkhus who knew that a meal together with robes had been prepared for the Saṅgha, but did not know that it had been given to the bhikkhus of the group of six, said thus: "Friends, dedicate the robes to the Saṅgha."
"Venerable sirs, there are no robes as prepared; the masters of the group of six have diverted them to themselves."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they took offense, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the bhikkhus of the group of six knowingly divert to themselves a gain belonging to the Saṅgha, already allocated to it?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you knowingly diverted to yourselves a gain belonging to the Saṅgha, already allocated to it?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, knowingly divert to yourselves a gain belonging to the Saṅgha, already allocated to it? This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those already confident …. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
'Whatever bhikkhu should knowingly divert to himself a gain belonging to the Saṅgha, already allocated to it, there is an offense entailing expiation with forfeiture (nissaggiya pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.