At one time the Buddha was staying in the Bhagga country at Susumāragira in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, the deer park. At that time, during winter, the monks were warming themselves after setting fire to a hollow log. Heated by the fire, a black snake came out of the log and attacked the monks. The monks ran here and there. The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How could those monks light a fire to warm themselves?” … “Is it true, monks, that monks did 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:

First preliminary ruling ‘If a monk lights a fire to warm himself, or has one lit, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second substory