At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the Buddha gave many talks about the Monastic Law, spoke in praise of the Monastic Law and of learning the Monastic Law, and repeatedly praised Venerable Upāli. When the monks heard this, they thought, “Well then, let’s learn the Monastic Law from Venerable Upāli.” And many monks, both senior and junior, as well as those of middle standing, learned the Monastic Law from Upāli. The monks from the group of six considered this and thought, “If these monks become well-versed in the Monastic Law, they’ll boss us around as they like. So let’s disparage the Monastic Law.” They went to the other monks and said, “What’s the point of reciting these minor training rules, when they just lead to anxiety, oppression, and annoyance?”