[92] Now at that time, when preceptors (upajjhāya) had departed, or had disrobed, or had died, or had gone over to another party, the bhikkhus, being without teachers (ācariya), unadmonished and uninstructed, walked for alms improperly dressed in the lower robe, improperly cloaked in the upper robe, and not endowed with proper deportment. While people were eating, they held out their standing almsbowls (uttiṭṭhapatta) over the soft food, over the hard food …, over the delicacies …, over the drinks; having themselves asked for curry and for boiled rice, they ate; and even in the refectory they dwelt making loud sounds, great sounds.
People looked down upon, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can these ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, walk for alms improperly dressed in the lower robe, improperly cloaked in the upper robe, and not endowed with proper deportment? While people are eating, they will hold out their standing almsbowls over the soft food, over the hard food …, over the delicacies …, over the drinks; having themselves asked for curry and for boiled rice, they will eat; and even in the refectory they will dwell making loud sounds, great sounds — just like brahmins at a brahmins' feast!"
Bhikkhus heard those people looking down upon, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … looked down upon, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhus, improperly dressed in the lower robe, improperly cloaked in the upper robe, and not endowed with proper deportment, … dwell thus?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhus, improperly dressed in the lower robe, improperly cloaked in the upper robe, and not endowed with proper deportment, … dwell thus?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them. … Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow a teacher (ācariya). The teacher, bhikkhus, will arouse toward the pupil (antevāsika) the mind of a son; the pupil will arouse toward the teacher the mind of a father. Thus, dwelling with mutual respect, with deference, and in harmonious conduct with one another, they will attain to growth, increase, and abundance in this Dhamma and Discipline. I allow, bhikkhus, living in dependence (nissaya) on one of ten years' standing, and for one of ten years' standing to give dependence.
"And thus, bhikkhus, is the teacher to be taken: having arranged the upper robe over one shoulder, having paid homage at his feet, having sat down on the heels, having raised the joined palms, he should be addressed thus: 'Venerable sir, be my teacher; I shall live in dependence on the venerable one. Venerable sir, be my teacher; I shall live in dependence on the venerable one. Venerable sir, be my teacher; I shall live in dependence on the venerable one.'
"If [the teacher] makes it known by body, makes it known by speech, or makes it known by body and speech — saying 'Very well,' or 'Certainly,' or 'It is suitable,' or 'It is fitting,' or 'Accomplish it in a manner inspiring confidence' — the teacher has been taken. If he does not make it known by body, does not make it known by speech, does not make it known by body and speech, the teacher has not been taken."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.