At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the monks from the group of six were instructing lay followers to memorize the Teaching. Those lay followers became disrespectful, undeferential, and rude toward the monks. The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the monks from the group of six instruct lay followers to memorize the Teaching?” 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 you do this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you do this?” This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling ‘If a monk instructs a person who is not fully ordained to memorize the Teaching, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case. A person who is not fully ordained: anyone except a fully ordained monk or a fully ordained nun.