[751] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodhārāma. Now at that time bhikkhus had been extended an invitation by a certain ivory-worker: "Whichever venerable ones have need of a needle case, I [will provide them] with a needle case." Now at that time the bhikkhus asked for many needle cases. Those who had small needle cases asked for large needle cases; those who had large needle cases asked for small needle cases. Then the ivory-worker, making many needle cases for the bhikkhus, was not able to make other goods for sale; he could not even maintain himself, and his wife and children suffered hardship.
People criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, not knowing moderation, ask for many needle cases? This man, making many needle cases for them, is not able to make other goods for sale; he cannot even maintain himself, and his wife and children suffer hardship."
Bhikkhus heard those people criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhus, not knowing moderation, ask for many needle cases?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you, not knowing moderation, asked for many needle cases?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can those foolish men, not knowing moderation, ask for many needle cases? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those who are without confidence, nor for the increase of those who have confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule: Whatever bhikkhu should have a needle case made of bone, or made of ivory, or made of horn: it is an offense of pācittiya entailing breaking [the article]."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.