Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. the monks from the group of six were wearing their sarongs hanging down in front and behind. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū puratopi pacchatopi olambentā nivāsenti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the Sakyan monastics wear their sarongs hanging down in front and behind? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “kathañhi nāma samaṇā sakyaputtiyā puratopi pacchatopi olambentā nivāsessanti, seyyathāpi gihī kāmabhogino”ti.

The monks heard the complaints of those people, Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the monks from the group of six wear their sarongs hanging down in front and behind?” “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhū puratopi pacchatopi olambentā nivāsessantī”ti.

After rebuking those monks in many ways, they told the Buddha. Atha kho te bhikkhū chabbaggiye bhikkhū anekapariyāyena vigarahitvā bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks from the group of six: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe bhikkhusaṅghaṁ sannipātāpetvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū paṭipucchi—“Is it true, monks, that you do this?” “saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, puratopi pacchatopi olambentā nivāsethā”ti?

“It’s true, sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “Foolish men, how can you do this? kathañhi nāma tumhe, moghapurisā, puratopi pacchatopi olambentā nivāsessatha. This will affect people’s confidence …” … Netaṁ, moghapurisā, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—