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What if I were to carry these robes belonging to the Sangha to Sāvatthī?" Then that bhikkhu, taking those robes, went to Sāvatthī and reported this matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. I allow, bhikkhus, for them to be divided by the Sangha in person. Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells alone during the season. There, people give robes, saying, 'We give to the Sangha.' I allow, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu to determine those robes, "These robes are mine." If, bhikkhus, while that robe is undetermined by that bhikkhu, another bhikkhu comes, an equal share is to be given. If, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are dividing that robe, before the kusa grass is cast down, another bhikkhu comes, an equal share is to be given. If, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are dividing that robe, after the kusa grass is cast down, another bhikkhu comes, a share is not to be given against their will. Now at that time, there were two elder brothers, Venerable Isidāsa and Venerable Isibhaṭ. Oh, having completed the Rains-residence in Savatthi, they went to a certain village dwelling. The people, thinking "The elders have come after a long time!", gave meals with robes. The resident bhikkhus asked the elders: "Venerables, these robes belonging to the Sangha have arisen on account of the elders. Will the elders accept a share?" The elders said thus: "Friends, as we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those robes are yours alone until the end of the Kathina period." Now at that time, three bhikkhus were residing for the Rains in Rajagaha. There, people, saying "We give to the Sangha," were giving robes. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "The Blessed One has laid down, 'A Sangha of four is the minimum.' But we are three persons. And these people are giving robes, saying 'We give to the Sangha.' How then should we act?" Now at that time, many elders, and Venerable Nilavasi, and Venerable Sanavasi, and Venerable Gotaka, and Venerable Bhagu, and Venerable Phalikasanta, were dwelling in Pataliputta, at Kukkuṭārāma. Then those bhikkhus went to Pataliputta and asked the elders. The elders said thus: "Friends, as we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those robes are yours alone until the end of the Kathina period." The story of the arising of robes for the Sangha is finished. 223. The Story of Upananda the Sakyan Son 364. Now at that time, Venerable Upananda the Sakyan son, having completed the Rains-residence in Savatthi, went to a certain village dwelling. And there, bhikkhus, desiring to distribute robes, had gathered. They said thus: "Friend, these robes belonging to the Sangha are to be distributed. Will you accept a share?" "Yes, friend, I will accept," he said. Then, having taken a share of the robes, he went to another dwelling. There too, bhikkhus, desiring to distribute robes, had gathered. They too said thus: "Friend, these robes belonging to the Sangha are to be distributed. Will you accept... a share?” “Yes, friend, I will accept it.” From there, having taken a share of robes, he went to another dwelling. There too, the bhikkhus, wishing to distribute robes, assembled. They also said this: “These, friend, are robes belonging to the Sangha, they will be distributed. Will you accept a share?” “Yes, friend, I will accept it.” From there, having taken a share of robes, he took a large bundle of robes and returned to Savatthi. The bhikkhus said this: “You are very meritorious, friend Upananda, much robe material has arisen for you.” “Where is my merit, friends? Here, friends, having spent the Rains in Savatthi, I went to a certain village dwelling. There, the bhikkhus, wishing to distribute robes, assembled. They said this to me: ‘These, friend, are robes belonging to the Sangha, they will be distributed. Will you accept a share?’ ‘Yes, friend, I will accept it.’ Then, having taken a share of robes, I went to another dwelling. There too, the bhikkhus, wishing to distribute robes, assembled. They also said this to me: ‘These, friend, are robes belonging to the Sangha, they will be distributed. Will you accept a share?’ ‘Yes, friend, I will accept it.’ From there, having taken a share of robes, I went to another dwelling. There too, the bhikkhus, wishing to distribute robes, assembled. They also said this to me: ‘These, friend, are robes belonging to the Sangha, they will be distributed. Will you accept a share?’ ‘Yes, friend, I will accept it.’ From there, I took a share of robes. Thus, much robe material has arisen for me.” “But, friend Upananda, having spent the Rains in one place, did you accept a share of robes in another?” “Yes, friend.” Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes… they complained, murmured, criticized: “How can Venerable Upananda, the Sakyan son, having spent the Rains in one place, accept a share of robes in another?” They reported this matter to the Blessed One… “Is it true, Upananda, that having spent the Rains in one place, you accepted a share of robes in another?” the robe-portion?’’ ‘‘It is true, Blessed One.’’ The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him… ‘‘How can you, foolish man, having spent the Rains in one place, accept a robe-portion in another? This, foolish man, is not for the conversion of the unconverted…’’ Having rebuked him… Having given a Dhamma talk, he addressed the bhikkhus: ‘‘Bhikkhus, one who has spent the Rains in one place should not accept a robe-portion in another. Whoever accepts it, commits an offense of wrong-doing.’’ At that time, the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan son spent the Rains in two dwellings, thinking: ‘‘Thus, much cloth will arise for me.’’ Then, it occurred to those bhikkhus: ‘‘How should the robe-portion be given to the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan son?’’ They reported this matter to the Blessed One. ‘‘Give, bhikkhus, to that foolish man according to one intention. But here, bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu spends the Rains in one dwelling in two places, thinking: ‘Thus, much cloth will arise for me,’ if he has resided half in one place and half in another, then half in one place and half in another should the robe-portion be given. Or, wherever he has resided more, from there should the robe-portion be given.’’ The story of Upananda the Sakyan son is finished. 224. The Story of the Sick Bhikkhu 365. At that time, a certain bhikkhu suffered from a bowel disorder. He lay wallowing in his own urine and feces. Then, the Blessed One, with the Venerable Ānanda as his attendant, while touring the lodgings, approached the dwelling of that bhikkhu. The Blessed One saw that bhikkhu lying wallowing in his own urine and feces. Having seen him, he approached that bhikkhu. Having approached, he said to that bhikkhu: ‘‘What is your ailment, bhikkhu?’’ ‘‘I have a bowel disorder, Blessed One.’’ ‘‘Do you have an attendant, bhikkhu?’’ ‘‘No, Blessed One.’’ ‘‘Why do the bhikkhus not attend to you?’’ ‘‘I, venerable sir, have not attended to the bhikkhus.’’ he did not render service; therefore the monks do not attend to me. Then the Blessed One addressed Venerable Ānanda – "Go, Ānanda, fetch water, we will bathe this monk." "Yes, Venerable Sir," Venerable Ānanda, having assented to the Blessed One, fetched water. The Blessed One poured water. Venerable Ānanda washed him. The Blessed One took him by the head. Venerable Ānanda lifted him by the feet, and they laid him on the bed. Then the Blessed One, on account of this incident, on account of this matter, having assembled the community of monks, questioned the monks – "Is there, monks, in that monastery, a sick monk?" "There is, Blessed One." "What is, monks, that monk's illness?" "Venerable Sir, that venerable one has a stomach ailment." "Is there, monks, an attendant for that monk?" "There is not, Blessed One." "Why do the monks not attend to him?" "This monk, Venerable Sir, did not render service to the monks; therefore the monks do not attend to him." "You have no mother, monks, you have no father, who might attend to you. If you, monks, do not attend to one another, then who indeed will attend? Whoever, monks, would attend to me, he should attend to the sick. If he is a preceptor, he should be attended to by the preceptor for as long as he lives; his recovery should be awaited. If he is a teacher, he should be attended to by the teacher for as long as he lives; his recovery should be awaited. If he is a co-resident, he should be attended to by the co-resident for as long as he lives; his recovery should be awaited. If he is a pupil, he should be attended to by the pupil for as long as he lives; his recovery should be awaited. If he has the same preceptor, he should be attended to by one with the same preceptor for as long as he lives; his recovery should be awaited. If he has the same teacher, he should be attended to by one with the same teacher for as long as he lives; his recovery should be awaited. If there is no preceptor or teacher or a co-resident, or a pupil, or a co-preceptor, or a co-teacher, should be attended to by the Saṅgha. If they do not attend, there is an offense of wrong-doing. Monks, a sick person endowed with five qualities is difficult to attend to. They do what is unsuitable. They do not know the measure in what is suitable. They do not take medicine. They do not reveal their true ailment to the attendant who wishes their welfare, (saying) 'It is advancing when it is advancing, or receding when it is receding, or stable when it is stable.' They are not of the type to endure the arisen bodily feelings, painful, sharp, severe, bitter, disagreeable, unpleasant, life-threatening. Monks, a sick person endowed with these five qualities is difficult to attend to. Monks, a sick person endowed with five qualities is easy to attend to. They do what is suitable. They know the measure in what is suitable. They take medicine. They reveal their true ailment to the attendant who wishes their welfare, (saying) 'It is advancing when it is advancing,