At one time a certain monk was living by himself outside the rainy season. People gave him robe-cloth, intending it for the Sangha. He thought, “The Buddha has laid down that a sangha consists of a group of at least four, but I’m here by myself. Now these people have given robe-cloth, intending it for the Sangha. Let me take it to Sāvatthī.” He then took that robe-cloth to Sāvatthī and told the monks, who in turn told the Buddha. He said, “The present Sangha should distribute it.

It may be that a monk is living by himself outside the rainy season, yet people give him robe-cloth, intending it for the Sangha. I allow that monk to determine that robe-cloth as his. But if another monk arrives before he has determined that robe-cloth, then he should be given an equal share. If yet another monk arrives before they’ve distributed that robe-cloth by drawing lots, he too should be given an equal share. If still another monk arrives, but after they’ve distributed that robe-cloth by drawing lots, they don’t need to give him a share if they’re unwilling.”

On one occasion, after completing the rainy-season residence at Sāvatthī, two senior monks who were brothers, Venerable Isidāsa and Venerable Isibhaṭa, went to a certain village monastery. Because it was a long time since they had been there, people gave meals together with robe-cloth. The resident monks asked them, “Venerables, this robe-cloth belonging to the Sangha was given because of you. Will you accept a share?” They replied, “As we understand the Teaching of the Buddha, this robe-cloth is just for you until the end of the robe season.”