On one occasion the monks from the group of six went to the dyers and stole their collection of cloth. They became anxious, thinking, “The Buddha has laid down a training rule. Could it be that we’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?” They told the Buddha. “Monks, you have committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

On one occasion a monk went to the dyers, saw a valuable cloth, and had the intention to steal it. He became anxious … “The Buddha has laid down a training rule. Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?” He told the Buddha. “There’s no offense for the arising of a thought.” On one occasion a monk went to the dyers, saw a valuable cloth, and touched it, intending to steal it. He became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.” On one occasion a monk went to the dyers, saw a valuable cloth, and made it stir, intending to steal it. He became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.” On one occasion a monk went to the dyers, saw a valuable cloth, and moved it from its base, intending to steal it. He became anxious … “You have committed an offense entailing expulsion.”