At one time the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary. At that time the monks from the group of six rubbed their bodies—thighs, arms, chest, and back—against trees while bathing. People complained and criticized them, “How can the Sakyan monastics do this? They’re just like boxers and city slickers who beautify their bodies!” The monks heard the complaints of those people and they told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monks, that the monks from the group of six are doing this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them, “It’s not suitable for those foolish men, it’s not proper, it’s not worthy of a monastic, it’s not allowable, it’s not to be done. How can they do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking them … the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “You shouldn’t rub your body against a tree while bathing. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

At that time the monks from the group of six rubbed their bodies—thighs, arms, chest, and back—against posts while bathing. People complained and criticized them, “How can the Sakyan monastics do this? They’re just like boxers and city slickers who beautify their bodies!” The monks heard the complaints of those people and they told the Buddha. … “It’s true, sir.” … After rebuking them … the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “You shouldn’t rub your body against a post while bathing. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”