At one time when the Buddha was staying in the house with the peaked roof in the Great Wood near Vesālī, a number of monks who were friends had entered the rainy-season residence on the banks of the river Vaggumudā. At that time Vajjī was short of food and afflicted with hunger, with crops affected by whiteheads and turned to straw. It was not easy to get by on almsfood. The monks considered the difficult circumstances, and they thought, “How can we have a comfortable rains, live in peace and harmony, and get almsfood without trouble?” Some said, “We could work for the householders, and they’ll support us in return.” Others said, “There’s no need to work for the householders. Let’s instead take messages for them, and they’ll support us in return.”