[644] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan son, having committed the offense (āpatti) of intentional emission of semen (sañcetanikā sukkavisaṭṭhi), informed a bhikkhu who was the co-resident pupil (saddhivihārika) of his brother: "Friend, I have committed the offense of intentional emission of semen. Do not tell anyone."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu, having committed the offense of intentional emission of semen, requested probation (parivāsa) from the Saṅgha for that offense. The Saṅgha granted him probation for that offense. While undergoing probation, he saw that bhikkhu and said this to him: "Friend, having committed the offense of intentional emission of semen, I requested probation from the Saṅgha for that offense; the Saṅgha granted me probation for that offense. I am undergoing probation. I make it known, friend; may the venerable one remember me as one who makes it known."
"But, friend, does anyone else who commits this offense also do thus?"
"It is so, friend."
"Friend, this Venerable Upananda the Sakyan son committed the offense of intentional emission of semen, and he informed me: 'Friend, I have committed the offense of intentional emission of semen. Do not tell anyone.'"
"But, friend, did you conceal that offense?"
"It is so, friend."
Then that bhikkhu informed the bhikkhus of this matter. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they took offense, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can a bhikkhu knowingly conceal a grave (duṭṭhulla) offense of a bhikkhu?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhu, that you knowingly concealed a grave offense of a bhikkhu?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How can you, foolish man, knowingly conceal a grave offense of a bhikkhu? This, foolish man, 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):
"Whatever bhikkhu should knowingly conceal a grave offense of a bhikkhu, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.