At one time monks entered the rains residence in a large earthenware pot. People complained and criticized them, “They’re just like the monastics of other religions.” “You shouldn’t enter the rains residence in a large earthenware pot. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

11. Illegitimate agreements At one time the Sangha at Sāvatthī had made an agreement that they would not give the going forth during the rains residence. Then, one of Visākhā’s grandsons went to the monks and asked for the going forth. The monks told him about their agreement, adding, “Please wait while the monks observe the rains residence. Once we’ve completed the rains residence, we’ll give you the going forth.” When they had completed the rains residence, the monks told Visākhā’s grandson that they would give him the going forth. He replied, “If I had been given the going forth, venerables, I would have enjoyed it. But now I won’t do it.”

Visākhā complained and criticized those monks, “How could the venerables make an agreement that they wouldn’t give the going forth during the rains residence? Is there a time when the Teaching shouldn’t be practiced?” The monks heard Visākhā’s complaints and told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t make an agreement that you won’t give the going forth during the rains residence. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

12. An offense of wrong conduct for agreeing