[685] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in the park of Anāthapiṇḍika. Now at that time the Blessed One was giving the bhikkhus a talk on the discipline (vinaya) in many ways, speaking in praise of the discipline, speaking in praise of the learning of the discipline, and, making specific mention again and again, speaking in praise of the Venerable Upāli. The bhikkhus said: "The Blessed One is giving a talk on the discipline in many ways, speaking in praise of the discipline, speaking in praise of the learning of the discipline, and, making specific mention again and again, speaking in praise of the Venerable Upāli. Come, friends, let us learn the discipline in the presence of the Venerable Upāli." And many bhikkhus — elders, and the newly ordained, and those of middle standing — learned the discipline in the presence of the Venerable Upāli.
Then it occurred to the group-of-six bhikkhus: "At present, friends, many bhikkhus — elders, and the newly ordained, and those of middle standing — are learning the discipline in the presence of the Venerable Upāli. If these become expert in the discipline, they will drag us and haul us about however they wish. Come, friends, let us disparage the discipline." Then the group-of-six bhikkhus approached bhikkhus and spoke thus: "What is the use of these minor and lesser training rules (sikkhāpada) being recited? They lead only to remorse, to vexation, and to perplexity."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they deplored it, criticized it, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus disparage the discipline?" … "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you disparage the discipline?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, disparage the discipline? This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those already confident …" "And thus, bhikkhus, should you recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhu, when the Pātimokkha is being recited, speak thus: 'What is the use of these minor and lesser training rules being recited? They lead only to remorse, to vexation, and to perplexity' — in disparaging the training rules, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.