[859] Origin at Sāvatthī. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus taught the Dhamma to one with a staff (daṇḍa) in hand … "I will not teach the Dhamma to one with a staff in hand who is not ill" — this is a training to be observed.
A staff means a staff four cubits long, [measured by the cubit] of a man of medium stature. Longer than that, it is not a staff; shorter than that, it is not a staff.
The Dhamma should not be taught to one with a staff in hand who is not ill. Whatever bhikkhu, out of disrespect, teaches the Dhamma to one with a staff in hand who is not ill, commits an offence of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa).
[Editorial note in the Siam Raṭṭha edition: "This reading should be examined, since it does not occur in the mātikā."]
There is no offence: if it was unintentional; if he was unmindful; if he did not know; if the person was ill; in emergencies; if the bhikkhu was mad; if he was the first offender.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.