[768] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time an itch-covering cloth (kaṇḍupaṭicchādi) had been allowed to the bhikkhus by the Blessed One. The group-of-six bhikkhus, [thinking,] "An itch-covering cloth has been allowed by the Blessed One," wore itch-covering cloths without measure, and went about dragging them along in front and behind. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying, "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus wear itch-covering cloths without measure?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you wear itch-covering cloths without measure?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, wear itch-covering cloths without measure? This, foolish men, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence, nor to the increase [of confidence] of those already confident …. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"'When a bhikkhu is having an itch-covering cloth made, it must be made to measure. This is the measure here: in length, four spans of the Sugata span; across, two spans. For one who exceeds that, it is [an offense] involving cutting down, a pācittiya.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.