[858] Now at that time bhikkhus were scrupulous about teaching the Dhamma to a sick person with an umbrella in his hand. People criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, not teach the Dhamma to a sick person with an umbrella in his hand?" The bhikkhus heard those people criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Then those bhikkhus reported the matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma with reference to that origin, with reference to that occasion, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow the Dhamma to be taught to a sick person with an umbrella in his hand. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): 'I will not teach¹ the Dhamma to one with an umbrella in his hand who is not sick' — a training to be observed."
**Umbrella** means: there are three umbrellas — a white umbrella, a matting umbrella, a leaf umbrella; bound in a circle, bound to ribs. **Dhamma** means: what is spoken by the Buddha, spoken by disciples, spoken by seers, spoken by deities, connected with the meaning, connected with the Dhamma.
**Should teach**: if he teaches by line, for every line there is an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa). If he teaches by syllable, for every syllable there is an offense of wrong-doing. The Dhamma should not be taught to one with an umbrella in his hand who is not sick. Whoever, out of disrespect, teaches the Dhamma to one with an umbrella in his hand who is not sick commits an offense of wrong-doing.
There is no offense: if it is unintentional; if he is unmindful; if he does not know; if the person is sick; in emergencies; if he is mad; if he is the first offender.
¹ [Siam Raṭṭha editorial footnotes: "1. In the Burmese edition this pair of readings is absent. 2. Most read 'desissāmi'; thus it is to be understood throughout."]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.