[355] Then the Blessed One, on that ground, on that occasion, had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus convened and questioned the bhikkhus: "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhus undergoing mānatta consent to salutation and rising up in greeting … to having their backs rubbed while bathing, from regular bhikkhus (pakatatta)?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Awakened One, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can bhikkhus undergoing mānatta consent to salutation and rising up in greeting … to having their backs rubbed while bathing, from regular bhikkhus? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu undergoing mānatta should not consent to salutation and rising up in greeting … to having his back rubbed while bathing, from regular bhikkhus. Whoever should consent commits an offence of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa).
"I allow, bhikkhus, for bhikkhus undergoing mānatta, among one another according to seniority: salutation, rising up in greeting … the rubbing of the back while bathing.
"I allow, bhikkhus, for bhikkhus undergoing mānatta five things according to seniority: the Uposatha, the Pavāraṇā, the rains-bathing cloth (vassikasāṭikā), the relinquishing (oṇojana), and a meal.
"Well then, bhikkhus, I shall lay down an observance (vatta) for bhikkhus undergoing mānatta, according to which bhikkhus undergoing mānatta must conduct themselves."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.