On one occasion a nun spread out her robe on a fence and entered her dwelling. Another nun, thinking, “Let me look after it,” put it away. The first nun came out and asked the nuns, “Venerables, who’s taken my robe?” The other nun said, “I’ve taken it.” The first nun took hold of her and said, “You’re not a monastic anymore!” The other nun became anxious … She told the nuns, who in turn told the monks, who in turn told the Buddha. … “If it was just a way of speaking, there’s no offense.”

On one occasion a monk saw a wrap garment blown up by a whirlwind. He took hold of it, thinking, “I’ll give it to the owners.” But the owners accused him, saying, “You’re not a monastic anymore!” He became anxious … “What were you thinking, monk?” “I didn’t intend to steal it, sir.” “There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to steal.” On one occasion a monk took hold of a turban that had been blown up by a whirlwind, intending to steal it before the owners found out. The owners accused him, saying, “You’re not a monastic anymore!” He became anxious … “You have committed an offense entailing expulsion.”