Sāriputta then got up from his seat, arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms, and said, “This is the time, venerable sir, for laying down training rules and reciting a monastic code, so that this spiritual life may last for a long time.” “Hold on, Sāriputta. The Buddha knows the appropriate time for this. The Teacher doesn’t lay down training rules or recite a monastic code until the causes of corruption appear in the Sangha. And they don’t appear until the Sangha has attained long standing, great size, an abundance of the best material support, or great learning. When the causes of corruption appear for any of these reasons, then the Teacher lays down training rules for his disciples and recites a monastic code in order to counteract these causes.