[470] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time, not far from Sāvatthī, alms-food at a public rest house (āvasathapiṇḍa) had been prepared by a certain guild. The group-of-six bhikkhus, having dressed in the morning, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms; not obtaining alms-food, they went to the rest house. The people, saying, "At long last the venerable ones have come!", served them respectfully.
Then on the second day, and on the third day as well, the group-of-six bhikkhus, having dressed in the morning, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms; not obtaining alms-food, they went to the rest house and ate. Then it occurred to the group-of-six bhikkhus: "What shall we do by going back to the monastery? We shall only have to come right back here again." Staying on and on in that very place, they ate the rest-house alms-food. The adherents of other sects moved away. People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, stay on and on and eat the rest-house alms-food? The rest-house alms-food was not prepared for these alone; the rest-house alms-food was prepared for all."
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus stay on and on and eat the rest-house alms-food?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that you stay on and on and eat the rest-house alms-food?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, stay on and on and eat the rest-house alms-food? This, foolish men, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of those already confident … And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"One meal of rest-house alms-food may be eaten; if he should eat more than that, there is an offence of pācittiya."
And thus this training rule was laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.