[562] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala had marched out with an army. The bhikkhus of the group of six went to see the army that had marched out. King Pasenadi of Kosala saw the bhikkhus of the group of six coming from afar; having seen them, he had them summoned and said this: "Venerable sirs, why have you come?"
"We wish to see the great king."
"What is the use, venerable sirs, of seeing me, one who delights in battle? Should not the Blessed One be seen?"
People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, come to see an army that has marched out? It is no gain for us, it is ill-gotten for us, that we come with the army for the sake of our livelihood, on account of our wives and children."
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 bhikkhus of the group of six go to see an army that has marched out?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as it is said, that you go to see an army that has marched out?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, go to see an army that has marched out? This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those already confident …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): 'Should any bhikkhu go to see an army that has marched out, there is an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya).'"
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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.