[86] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time bhikkhus were having a rug (santhata) made every year. They dwelt abounding in begging, abounding in hinting: "Give wool; there is need of wool." People complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, have a rug made every year, and dwell abounding in begging, abounding in hinting: 'Give wool; there is need of wool'? Our own rugs, made but once, last even five or six years — rugs on which our children defecate and urinate, and which are gnawed by rats. Yet these ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, will have a rug made every year, and will dwell abounding in begging, abounding in hinting: 'Give wool; there is need of wool.'"
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhus have a rug made every year, and dwell abounding in begging, abounding in hinting: 'Give wool; there is need of wool'?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhus are having a rug made every year, and dwell abounding in begging, abounding in hinting: 'Give wool; there is need of wool'?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can those foolish men have a rug made every year, and dwell abounding in begging, abounding in hinting: 'Give wool; there is need of wool'? This, bhikkhus, 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 has had a new rug made, it is to be kept for six years. If, within less than six years, whether he has given away that rug or has not given it away, he should have another new rug made, it entails relinquishment and confession (nissaggiya pācittiya)."
And thus this training rule was laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.