[744] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus, having entered the village at the wrong time (vikāla) and sat down in an assembly hall, engaged in various kinds of pointless talk (tiracchānakathā), that is to say: talk of kings, talk of thieves, talk of great ministers, talk of armies, talk of dangers, talk of battles, talk of food, talk of drink, talk of clothing, talk of beds, talk of garlands, talk of scents, talk of relatives, talk of vehicles, talk of villages, talk of towns, talk of cities, talk of countries, talk of women, talk of liquor, talk of streets, talk of watering places, talk of the departed, miscellaneous talk, speculation about the world, speculation about the sea, and talk of becoming this or that.
People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can these ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, having entered the village at the wrong time and sat down in an assembly hall, engage in various kinds of pointless talk, that is to say: talk of kings, talk of thieves, talk of great ministers, talk of armies, talk of dangers, talk of battles, talk of food, talk of drink, talk of clothing, talk of beds, talk of garlands, talk of scents, talk of relatives, talk of vehicles, talk of villages, talk of towns, talk of cities, talk of countries, talk of women, talk of liquor, talk of streets, talk of watering places, talk of the departed, miscellaneous talk, speculation about the world, speculation about the sea, and talk of becoming this or that — just like householders who enjoy sensual pleasures?"
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus, having entered the village at the wrong time and sat down in an assembly hall, engage in various kinds of pointless talk, that is to say: talk of kings … and talk of becoming this or that?" …
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as they say, that you, having entered the village at the wrong time and sat down in an assembly hall, engaged in various kinds of pointless talk, that is to say: talk of kings … and talk of becoming this or that?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, having entered the village at the wrong time and sat down in an assembly hall, engage in various kinds of pointless talk, that is to say: talk of kings … and talk of becoming this or that? This, foolish men, 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: 'Whatever bhikkhu should enter a village at the wrong time, there is an offense entailing confession (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.