[78] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus had a felt rug (santhata) made entirely of pure black sheep's wool. People, wandering on a tour of the dwellings, saw it and complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can these ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, have a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool, just like householders who enjoy sensual pleasures?"
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus have a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you had a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, have a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool? This, foolish men, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence, nor to the increase of those who have confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
'Should any bhikkhu have a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and confession (nissaggiya pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.