After rebuking those monks in many ways, they told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monks, that there are monks who do this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “How could those foolish men do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling ‘There are wilderness dwellings that are considered risky and dangerous. After observing the Kattika full moon that ends the rainy season, a monk who is staying in such a dwelling may, if he so desires, store one of his three robes in an inhabited area so long as he has a reason for staying apart from that robe.

He should stay apart from that robe for six days at the most. If he stays apart from it longer than that, except if the monks have agreed, he commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession.’”

Definitions After observing: after completing the rainy season. The Kattika full moon that ends the rainy season: the fourth full moon of the rainy season in the month of Kattika is what is meant. There are wilderness dwellings: a wilderness dwelling: it is at least 800 meters away from any inhabited area. Risky: in the monastery, or in the vicinity of the monastery, thieves have been seen camping, eating, standing, sitting, or lying down.