[807] Origin at Sāvatthī (Sāvatthīnidānaṃ). Now on that occasion the group-of-six bhikkhus sat in inhabited areas (antaraghara) looking about here and there. …
"I shall sit with eyes cast down in inhabited areas" — thus the training is to be undertaken.
One should sit in inhabited areas with eyes cast down, looking ahead the distance of a plough's yoke (yugamatta). Whoever, out of disrespect (anādariya), sits in inhabited areas looking about here and there, incurs an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa).
There is no offense: for one acting unintentionally; for one unmindful; for one who does not know; for one who is ill; in emergencies; for one who is mad; for the first offender (ādikammika).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.