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and would know what has been deposited and what has not. And thus, monks, should he be appointed. First, the bhikkhu should be asked; having asked, a competent and able bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha – ‘‘May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, listen to me. If it is suitable for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha may appoint the bhikkhu named so-and-so as the robe-depositor. This is the motion. ‘‘May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, listen to me. The Saṅgha appoints the bhikkhu named so-and-so as the robe-depositor. If the appointment of the bhikkhu named so-and-so as robe-depositor is agreeable to any venerable one, let him be silent; if it is not agreeable, let him speak. ‘‘The bhikkhu named so-and-so has been appointed by the Saṅgha as the robe-depositor. I agree. The Sangha agrees, therefore it is silent. Thus I hold this. The discourse on the appointment of a robe-receiver is concluded. 214. Discourse on the appointment of a storehouse, etc. 343. At that time, a bhikkhu who was a robe-depositor deposited robes in a pavilion, or at the foot of a tree, or in an unprotected place. They were eaten by mice and termites. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, to appoint a storehouse, which the Sangha desires, be it a monastery, or a half-gabled house, or a mansion, or a turreted house, or a cave. And thus, bhikkhus, it should be appointed. A competent and able bhikkhu should inform the Sangha: 'May the Sangha, venerable sirs, listen to me. If it is suitable for the Sangha, the Sangha should appoint the monastery named such-and-such as a storehouse. This is the motion. 'May the Sangha, venerable sirs, listen to me. The Sangha appoints the monastery named such-and-such as a storehouse. If the appointment of the monastery named such-and-such as a storehouse is agreeable to any venerable one, he should be silent; if it is not agreeable to anyone, he should speak. 'The monastery named such-and-such has been appointed by the Sangha as a storehouse. The Sangha agrees, therefore it is silent. Thus I hold this.' At that time, the robes in the Sangha's storehouse were unprotected. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, to appoint a bhikkhu endowed with five qualities as a storekeeper: one who does not go on the wrong path through desire, does not go on the wrong path through hatred, does not go on the wrong path through delusion, does not go on the wrong path through fear, and knows what is protected and what is unprotected. And thus, bhikkhus, he should be appointed. First, the bhikkhu should be asked; having asked, a competent and able bhikkhu should inform the Sangha: 'May the Sangha, venerable sirs, listen to me. If it is suitable for the Sangha, the Sangha should appoint the bhikkhu named such-and-such as a storekeeper. This is the motion. 'May the Sangha, venerable sirs, listen to me. The Sangha appoints the bhikkhu named such-and-such as a storekeeper. If it is agreeable to any venerable one This is the motion for the appointment of a steward for the monk of such-and-such a name. He who approves, let him be silent. He who does not approve, let him speak. "The monk of such-and-such a name has been appointed steward by the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha approves, therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold this." Now at that time, the group of six monks dismissed the steward. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, a steward should not be dismissed. Whoever dismisses one, commits an offense of wrong-doing." Now at that time, there was an abundance of robes in the Saṅgha's storehouse. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, monks, that they be distributed by the Saṅgha in assembly." Now at that time, the Saṅgha, while distributing robes, made a clamor. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, monks, that a monk endowed with five qualities be appointed as a robe-distributor: one who does not go by way of desire, does not go by way of hatred, does not go by way of delusion, does not go by way of fear, and knows what has been distributed and what has not. And thus, monks, should he be appointed. First, the monk should be requested; having requested him, a competent and able monk should inform the Saṅgha: 'May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. If it is agreeable to the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha would appoint the monk of such-and-such a name as a robe-distributor. This is the motion. 'May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. The Saṅgha appoints the monk of such-and-such a name as a robe-distributor. To whichever venerable one the appointment of the monk of such-and-such a name as a robe-distributor is agreeable, let him be silent. To whichever one it is not agreeable, let him speak. 'The monk of such-and-such a name has been appointed as a robe-distributor by the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha approves, therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold this.' Then it occurred to the robe-distributing monks: "How, indeed, should robes be distributed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, monks, first to select, to weigh, and to separate by quality..." having counted the bhikkhus, having formed groups, they should set aside the robe portion. Then it occurred to the robe-distributing bhikkhus: "How should the robe portion be given to the novices?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, that half a portion be given to the novices." Now at that time, a certain bhikkhu wished to leave with his share. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, that his own share be given to one who is leaving." Now at that time, a certain bhikkhu wished to leave with an extra share. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, that an extra share be given when it has been put aside." Then it occurred to the robe-distributing bhikkhus: "How should the robe portion be given? Should it be in order of arrival, or according to seniority?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, that after satisfying those who are present, a drawing of lots be made." The discourse on the appointment of a storekeeper and so forth is finished. 215. The Discourse on Dyeing Robes 344. Now at that time, bhikkhus dyed robes with dung and with yellow clay. The robes were of a bad color. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, six dyes: root dye, trunk dye, bark dye, leaf dye, flower dye, fruit dye." Now at that time, bhikkhus dyed robes with cold water. The robes were ill-smelling. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, a small stove and a dye pot for boiling the dye." The dye overflowed. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, that an upper rim be fastened." Now at that time, bhikkhus did not know whether the dye was cooked or uncooked. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, to give a drop in water or on a fingernail. Now at that time, monks, lowering dye, were pulling up a pot. The pot broke. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, a dye-ladle, a stick-ladle. Now at that time, monks had no dye-vessel. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, a dye-pot, a dye-jar. Now at that time, monks were kneading robes in bowls and in alms-bowls. The robe got damaged. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, a dye-trough. Now at that time, monks were spreading robes on the ground. The robe became dusty. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, a grass-mat. The grass-mat was eaten by termites. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, a robe-pole, a robe-rope. They were hanging it in the middle. The dye dripped on both sides. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, to tie it at the corner. The corner wore out. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, a corner-string. The dye dripped on one side. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, to dye it by turning it over and over, and not to leave before the drops have ceased. Now at that time, the robe was stiff. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, to soak it in water. Now at that time, the robe was rough. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, monks, to beat it with the hand. Now at that time, monks were wearing robes that were not cut, tooth-ochre colored. People complained... they waste away, they decay, they rot away – just like a householder who enjoys sensual pleasures. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. “Monks, unstitched robes are not to be worn. Whoever wears them, there is an offense of wrong-doing.” The discourse on dyeing robes is finished. 216. Authorization of stitched robes 345. Then the Blessed One, having stayed in Rājagaha as long as he wished, set out on a wandering tour towards Dakkhiṇāgiri. The Blessed One saw the Magadhan fields bound with embankments, bound with dikes, bound with boundaries, bound with crossroads, and having seen them, he addressed Venerable Ānanda: “Do you see, Ānanda, the Magadhan fields bound with embankments, bound with dikes, bound with boundaries, bound with crossroads?” “Yes, Bhante.” “Are you able, Ānanda, to arrange such robes for the monks?” “I am able, Blessed One.” Then the Blessed One, having stayed in Dakkhiṇāgiri as long as he wished, returned again to Rājagaha. Then Venerable Ānanda, having arranged robes for many monks, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he said to the Blessed One: “May the Blessed One see, Bhante, the robes I have arranged.” Then the Blessed One, on this occasion, on this account, gave a Dhamma talk and addressed the monks: “Wise, monks, is Ānanda; greatly discerning, monks, is Ānanda; in that, having heard what I spoke briefly, he will understand the meaning in detail. He will make a square piece, he will make a half-square piece,