At one time the monks from the group of six had established a zone that crossed a river. Monks on their way to the observance-day ceremony were swept away by the current, as were their bowls and robes. “You shouldn’t establish a monastery zone that crosses a river. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. I allow you to establish a monastery zone that crosses a river only if there is a permanent bridge or ferry connection.”

5. Discussion of the observance-day hall At that time the monks recited the Monastic Code in one yard after another without making a prior arrangement. Newly-arrived monks did not know where the observance-day ceremony was to be held. They told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code in one yard after another without making a prior arrangement. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. I allow you to designate an observance-day hall—whether a dwelling, a stilt house, or a cave—for the observance-day ceremony. And it should be designated like this.

A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it should designate such-and-such a dwelling as the observance-day hall. This is the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha designates such-and-such a dwelling as the observance-day hall. Any monk who approves of designating such-and-such a dwelling as the observance-day hall should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has designated such-and-such a dwelling as the observance-day hall. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’”