[800] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus (chabbaggiyā bhikkhū) dressed with their lower robes hanging down in front and hanging down behind. People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, dress with their robes hanging down in front and hanging down behind, 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: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus dress with their robes hanging down in front and hanging down behind?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
Then the Blessed One, on that ground and in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus assembled and questioned the group-of-six bhikkhus: "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you dress with your robes hanging down in front and hanging down behind?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, dress with your robes hanging down in front and hanging down behind? This, foolish men, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of confidence in those already confident …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): 'I will dress with my lower robe even all around (parimaṇḍala)' — a training to be observed."
One should dress even all around, covering the circle of the navel and the circles of the knees. Whoever, out of disrespect, dresses with the robe hanging down in front or hanging down behind incurs an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa).
There is no offense: for one who acts unintentionally; absent-mindedly; for one who does not know; for one who is ill; in emergencies; for one who is insane; for the first offender. [3]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.