[516] 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 (chabbaggiyā), having requested fine foods for their own benefit, ate them. People complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, request fine foods for their own benefit and eat them? To whom is well-prepared food not agreeable? To whom does what is delicious not appeal?"
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus request fine foods for their own benefit and eat them?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you, having requested fine foods for your own benefit, eat them?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, request fine foods for your own benefit and eat them? 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):
"'Now, those foods which are fine foods, namely: ghee, fresh butter, oil, honey, molasses, fish, meat, milk, and curds—should any bhikkhu, having requested such fine foods for his own benefit, eat them, there is an offense 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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.