At one time a monk went to the house with the peaked roof in the Great Wood near Vesālī for the day’s meditation. He opened the door, lay down, and had an erection because of wind. Just then a number of women came to the monastery to look at the dwellings, bringing scents and garlands. They saw that monk and sat down on his penis. Having taken their pleasure, they said, “What a bull of a man.” They then put up their scents and garlands and left. The monks saw the moisture and told the Buddha. “Monks, an erection occurs for five reasons: because of sensual desire, feces, urine, or wind, or because of being stung by caterpillars. It’s impossible that that monk had an erection because of sensual desire. That monk is a perfected one. There’s no offense for that monk. But, monks, you should close the door when you are in seclusion during the day.”

At one time a monk from Bhārukaccha dreamed that he had sexual intercourse with his ex-wife. He thought he was no longer a monastic and that he would have to disrobe. While on his way to Bhārukaccha, he saw Venerable Upāli and told him what had happened. Venerable Upāli said, “There’s no offense when it occurs while dreaming.”