At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, he allowed the rainy-season robe for the monks. Knowing that this was the case, the monks from the group of six went looking for cloth for their rainy-season robes in advance. And after sewing them in advance, they wore them. Then, because their rainy-season robes were worn out, they bathed naked in the rain. The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How could the monks from the group of six go looking for cloth for their rainy-season robes in advance, sew them in advance, and then wear them, and then, because their rainy-season robes are worn out, bathe naked in the rain?” After rebuking the monks from the group of six in many ways, they told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monks, that you did this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how could you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
Final ruling