When Visākhā had had various kinds of fine foods prepared, she told a slave, “Go to the monastery and tell the Buddha that the meal is ready.” Saying, “Yes, ma’am,” she went to the monastery and saw the monks bathing naked in the rain. She thought, “There are no monks in the monastery, just Ājīvaka ascetics bathing in the rain.” She returned and told Visākhā what had happened. Being wise and discerning, Visākhā thought, “No doubt the venerables are bathing naked in the rain. It’s only because of her ignorance that she thinks as she does.” So she sent the slave back to the monastery with the same instructions.

When the monks had cooled their bodies and felt invigorated, they took their robes and entered their dwellings. When the slave arrived, she didn’t see any monks. She thought, “There are no monks in the monastery. It’s empty.” She returned and told Visākhā what had happened. Once again Visākhā realized what was going on, and she told the slave to go to the monastery one more time.