[550] Now at that time bhikkhus were making robes, and there was need of a needle, of thread, and of a small knife. The bhikkhus, being scrupulous, did not visit families. They reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Bhikkhus, I allow you to visit families at the time of robe-making. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Should any bhikkhu who has been invited and is provided with a meal engage in visiting families before the meal or after the meal, except at a proper occasion, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya). Herein this is the occasion: the time of giving robes, the time of making robes — this is the occasion herein."
And thus was this training rule laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.