[335] Then the Blessed One, on that ground and on that occasion, had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus (bhikkhu) convened and questioned the bhikkhus: "Is it true, as is said, bhikkhus, that bhikkhus deserving to be sent back to the beginning (mūlāya paṭikassanāraha) consent to the bowing, the rising up in respect, … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from bhikkhus of regular standing (pakatatta)?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Awakened One, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How indeed, bhikkhus, can bhikkhus deserving to be sent back to the beginning consent to the bowing, the rising up in respect, … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from bhikkhus of regular standing? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu deserving to be sent back to the beginning should not consent to the bowing, the rising up in respect, … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from bhikkhus of regular standing. Whoever should consent commits an offense of wrongdoing (dukkaṭa).
"I allow, bhikkhus, among bhikkhus deserving to be sent back to the beginning, mutually and according to seniority, the bowing, the rising up in respect, … the rubbing of the back when bathing.
"I allow, bhikkhus, for bhikkhus deserving to be sent back to the beginning, five things according to seniority: the Uposatha, the Pavāraṇā, the rains-bathing cloth, the relinquishing (of a meal) (oṇojana), and a meal.
"Well then, bhikkhus, I shall lay down an observance (vatta) for bhikkhus deserving to be sent back to the beginning, according to which bhikkhus deserving to be sent back to the beginning must conduct themselves."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.