[255] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus carried malicious tale-bearing (pesuñña) to bhikkhus who had taken to strife, taken to quarrelling, and fallen into dispute: having heard it from this one, they reported it to that one, in order to divide this one; having heard it from that one, they reported it to this one, in order to divide that one. Because of that, strifes not yet arisen arose, and strifes already arisen tended toward increase and expansion.
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they took offense, criticized, and complained: "How indeed can the group-of-six bhikkhus carry malicious tale-bearing to bhikkhus who have taken to strife, taken to quarrelling, and fallen into dispute — having heard it from this one, report it to that one, in order to divide this one; having heard it from that one, report it to this one, in order to divide that one — because of which strifes not yet arisen arise, and strifes already arisen tend toward increase and expansion?"
Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. … "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you carry malicious tale-bearing to bhikkhus who have taken to strife, taken to quarrelling, and fallen into dispute — having heard it from this one, report it to that one, in order to divide this one; having heard it from that one, report it to this one, in order to divide that one — because of which strifes not yet arisen arise, and strifes already arisen tend toward increase and expansion?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed can you, foolish men, carry malicious tale-bearing to bhikkhus who have taken to strife, taken to quarrelling, and fallen into dispute — having heard it from this one, report it to that one, in order to divide this one; having heard it from that one, report it to this one, in order to divide that one — because of which strifes not yet arisen arise, and strifes already arisen tend toward increase and expansion? This, foolish men, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"In malicious tale-bearing concerning a bhikkhu, there is a pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.