[680] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Kosambī in Ghosita's Park (Ghositārāma). Now at that time the Venerable Channa was engaging in improper conduct (anācāra). The bhikkhus said thus: "Friend Channa, do not act in such a way; that is not proper." He said thus: "Friends, I will not train in this training rule (sikkhāpada) until I have questioned another bhikkhu who is competent, an expert in the Vinaya (vinayadhara)."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How indeed can the Venerable Channa, being admonished by the bhikkhus in accordance with the Dhamma (sahadhammikaṃ), speak thus: 'Friends, I will not train in this training rule until I have questioned another bhikkhu who is competent, an expert in the Vinaya'?" …
"Is it true, as they say, Channa, that you, being admonished by the bhikkhus in accordance with the Dhamma, speak thus: 'Friends, I will not train in this training rule until I have questioned another bhikkhu who is competent, an expert in the Vinaya'?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How indeed can you, foolish man, being admonished by the bhikkhus in accordance with the Dhamma, speak thus: 'Friends, I will not train in this training rule until I have questioned another bhikkhu who is competent, an expert in the Vinaya'? This, foolish man, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of confidence in those already confident. …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule: Should any bhikkhu, being admonished by the bhikkhus in accordance with the Dhamma, speak thus: 'Friends, I will not train in this training rule until I have questioned another bhikkhu who is competent, an expert in the Vinaya,' there is an offense of pācittiya.
"Bhikkhus, by a bhikkhu who is training, [the rule] should be understood, should be inquired into, should be reflected upon. This is the proper procedure (sāmīci) in that case."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.