The Sangha was offered a square bench. “I allow square benches.” The Sangha was offered a tall square bench. “I also allow tall square benches.” The Sangha was offered a sofa. “I allow sofas.” The Sangha was offered a high sofa. “I also allow high sofas.” The Sangha was offered a cane bench. “I allow cane benches.” The Sangha was offered a small bench bound with pieces of cloth. “I allow small benches bound with pieces of cloth.” The Sangha was offered a bench with ram-like legs. “I allow benches with ram-like legs.” The Sangha was offered a bench with many legs. “I allow benches with many legs.” The Sangha was offered a plank as a bench. “I allow plank benches.” The Sangha was offered a stool. “I allow stools.” The Sangha was offered a bench made of straw. “I allow benches made of straw.”

At that time the monks from the group of six slept on high beds. When people walking about the dwellings saw this, they complained and criticized them, “They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” They told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t sleep on high beds. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.” Soon afterwards a monk was bitten by a snake while sleeping on a low bed. “I allow bed supports.” The monks from the group of six used high bed supports and then made the beds shake. When people walking about the dwellings saw this, they complained and criticized them, “They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!” “You shouldn’t use high bed supports. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. I allow bed supports that are at the most eight standard fingerbreadths long.”