[82] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus (chabbaggiyā bhikkhū), [knowing] "It has been prohibited by the Blessed One to have a felt rug (santhata) made of pure black sheep's wool (eḷakaloma)," took just a little white wool at the edge and had a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool made just the same as before.
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus, having taken just a little white wool at the edge, have a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool made just the same as before?"
Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you, having taken just a little white wool at the edge, had a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool made just the same as before?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, having taken just a little white wool at the edge, have a felt rug made of pure black sheep's wool made just the same as before? This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those who have confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"When a bhikkhu is having a new felt rug made, two parts of pure black sheep's wool are to be taken, a third part of white, and a fourth part of reddish-brown. If a bhikkhu should have a new felt rug made without taking two parts of pure black sheep's wool, a third of white, and a fourth of reddish-brown, it entails relinquishment and confession (nissaggiya pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.