If that monk has a reason for going to the army: if he has a reason, if he has something to do. He may stay with the army for two or three nights: he may stay for two or for three nights. If he stays longer than that: if he is staying with the army at sunset on the fourth day, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations If it is more than three nights, and he perceives it as more, and he is staying with the army, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is more than three nights, but he is unsure of it, and he is staying with the army, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is more than three nights, but he perceives it as less, and he is staying with the army, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is less than three nights, but he perceives it as more, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is less than three nights, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is less than three nights, and he perceives it as less, there is no offense.

Non-offenses There is no offense: if he stays for two or three nights; if he stays for less than two or three nights; if he stays for two nights, then leaves before dawn on the third night, and then stays again; if he stays because he is sick; if he stays because he has to take care of someone who is sick; if the army is obstructed by an enemy army; if he is obstructed from leaving; if there is an emergency; if he is insane; if he is the first offender. The training rule on staying more than three days with an army, the ninth, is finished.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Great Analysis The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on naked ascetics Seeing an army in action

Origin story