[426] Now at that time bhikkhus (bhikkhu) who walked for alms (piṇḍacārika) went for alms poorly dressed in their lower robes, poorly wrapped in their upper robes, and not possessed of proper deportment; they entered a dwelling without taking notice and departed without taking notice; they entered too hastily and departed too hastily; they stood too far off and stood too close; they stood too long and turned away too quickly.
A certain alms-walking bhikkhu entered a dwelling without taking notice, and thinking it was the door, he entered a certain inner chamber (ovaraka). Now in that inner chamber a woman was lying naked on her back. That bhikkhu saw the woman lying naked on her back, and having seen her, thinking, "This is not the door; this is an inner chamber," he departed from that inner chamber. The woman's husband saw the woman lying naked on her back, and having seen her, thinking, "My wife has been violated by this bhikkhu," he seized that bhikkhu and beat him. Then the woman, awakened by that noise, said this to the man: "Master, why are you beating this bhikkhu?" "You have been violated by this bhikkhu." "Master, I have not been violated by this bhikkhu; the bhikkhu has done nothing." And she had that bhikkhu released.
Then that bhikkhu went to the monastery and reported this matter to the bhikkhus. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can bhikkhus who walk for alms go for alms poorly dressed in their lower robes, poorly wrapped in their upper robes, and not possessed of proper deportment; enter a dwelling without taking notice and depart without taking notice; enter too hastily and depart too hastily; stand too far off and stand too close; stand too long and turn away too quickly?"
Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. … "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus …" … "It is true, Blessed One." … Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, I shall lay down the duties (vatta) for bhikkhus who walk for alms, according to which bhikkhus who walk for alms should conduct themselves properly."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.