[66] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a certain man said this to another man: "I shall clothe master Upananda with a robe." That other also spoke thus: "I too shall clothe master Upananda with a robe." A certain bhikkhu walking for alms heard this conversation of those men. Then that bhikkhu approached the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan, and having approached, said this to the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan: "You are one of great merit, friend Upananda. In such-and-such a place a certain man said this to another man: 'I shall clothe master Upananda with a robe,' and that other also spoke thus: 'I too shall clothe master Upananda with a robe.'"
"They exist, friend—they are supporters of mine." Then the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan approached those men, and having approached, said this to those men: "Is it true, as they say, sirs, that you wish to clothe me with robes?"
"Indeed, sir, this occurred to us: 'We shall clothe master Upananda with robes.'"
"If, sirs, you wish to clothe me with robes, then clothe me with a robe of such-and-such a kind. What shall I do with robes, even when clothed in them, if I shall not make use of them?"
Then those men complained, criticized, and spread it about: "These ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, are of great desires, discontented; it is no easy matter to clothe them with robes. How indeed can master Upananda, without being previously invited by us, approach and enter upon a stipulation concerning a robe?"
Bhikkhus heard those men complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How indeed can the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan, without being previously invited, approach householders and enter upon a stipulation concerning a robe?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, as they say, Upananda, that you, without being previously invited, approached householders and entered upon a stipulation concerning a robe?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
"Are they relatives of yours, Upananda, or not relatives?"
"Not relatives, Blessed One."
"One who is not a relative, foolish man, does not know what is proper or improper, what is at hand or not at hand, for those who are not relatives. Under such circumstances will you, foolish man, without being previously invited, approach householders who are not relatives and enter upon a stipulation concerning a robe? This, foolish man, is neither for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those who have confidence …. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
'Should separate robe-funds be prepared, specifically for a bhikkhu, by two householders or housewives who are not relatives, thinking: "Having had separate robes purchased with these separate robe-funds, we shall clothe the bhikkhu named so-and-so with robes"—if in that case that bhikkhu, without being previously invited, should approach and enter upon a stipulation concerning the robe: "It would be good indeed, sirs, if, having had a robe of such-and-such a kind purchased with these separate robe-funds, you—both of you together—were to clothe me with one robe," out of desire for something fine, it entails expiation with forfeiture (nissaggiya pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.