[344] Now at that time, bhikkhus deserving mānatta consented to the bowing (abhivādana), the rising up in respect … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from regular bhikkhus (pakatatta). Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhus deserving mānatta consent to the bowing, the rising up … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from regular bhikkhus?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhus deserving mānatta consent to the bowing, the rising up … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from regular bhikkhus?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhus deserving mānatta consent to the bowing, the rising up … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from regular bhikkhus? 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 mānatta should not consent to the bowing, the rising up … the rubbing of the back when bathing, from regular bhikkhus. Whoever should consent commits an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa).
"Bhikkhus, I allow, among bhikkhus deserving mānatta with one another, according to seniority, the bowing, the rising up … the rubbing of the back when bathing. Bhikkhus, I allow bhikkhus deserving mānatta five things according to seniority: the Uposatha, the Pavāraṇā, the rains-bathing cloth, the dedication of a meal (oṇojana), and a meal.
"Well then, bhikkhus, I shall lay down a duty (vatta) for bhikkhus deserving mānatta, how bhikkhus deserving mānatta should conduct themselves."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.