[223] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the bathing cloth (udakasāṭikā) had been allowed by the Blessed One for the bhikkhunīs. The group-of-six bhikkhunīs, [thinking,] "The bathing cloth has been allowed by the Blessed One," wore bathing cloths without measure, and went about trailing them in front and trailing them behind.
Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhunīs wear bathing cloths without measure?" …
"Is it true, as is said, bhikkhus, that the group-of-six bhikkhunīs wear bathing cloths without measure?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "Bhikkhus, how can the group-of-six bhikkhunīs wear bathing cloths without measure? This, bhikkhus, does not conduce to the confidence of those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule:
"When a bhikkhunī is having a bathing cloth made, it is to be made to measure. Here this is the measure: in length, four spans of the Sugata span; across, two spans. For one exceeding that, there is an offense of Pācittiya entailing cutting down."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.