[Buddha-l] Origin of the confession ritual

[Jayarava]

Hi All

I recall reading that at the original full and half moon gatherings the monks and nuns just meditated, but that was boring for the lay people who expected some kind of spectacle from their ascetics, and so the Buddha instituted the patimokkha recitation. Is this just an urban legend or does it have a basis in fact? Is there a textual source for the story.

Thanks
Jayarava