[539] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan, having gone to the house of a friend, sat down in private with that man's wife on a concealed seat. Then that man complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can master Upananda sit down in private with my wife on a concealed seat?"
Bhikkhus heard that man complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan sit down in private with a woman (mātugāma) on a concealed seat?" …
"Is it true, Upananda, that you sat down in private with a woman on a concealed seat?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How could you, foolish man, sit down in private with a woman on a concealed seat? This, foolish man, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence, nor to the increase of those who have confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Should any bhikkhu sit down in private with a woman on a concealed seat, there is an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.