(Mv.IV.18.1) [251] Now on that occasion several monks, close friends who were often seen together and ate together, entered the Rains at a certain residence in the Kosalan countryside.

While they were living together in unity, courteously, without dispute, a certain level of comfort was achieved.

Then the thought occurred to them, “While we have been living together in unity, courteously, without dispute, a certain level of comfort has been achieved.

“If we were to invite now, and if there are monks who, having invited, would leave to go wandering, we would be deprived of our level of comfort. What should we do?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

(Mv.IV.18.2) “Monks, there is the case where several monks, close friends who are often seen together and eat together, enter the Rains at a certain residence.

While they are living together in unity, courteously, without dispute, a certain level of comfort is achieved.

“If the thought should occur to them, ‘While we have been living together in unity, courteously, without dispute, a certain level of comfort has been achieved. If we were to invite now, and if there are monks who, having invited, would leave to go wandering, we would be deprived of our level of comfort,’ then I allow that those monks make an Invitation-delay.

(Mv.IV.18.3) “And, monks, it should be made like this:

“The entire Saṅgha should gather.

“When they have gathered, an experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. While we have been living together in unity, courteously, without dispute, a certain level of comfort has been achieved.

“‘If we were to invite now, and if there are monks who, having invited, would leave to go wandering, we would be deprived of our level of comfort.

“‘If the Saṅgha is ready, it should make an Invitation-delay so that it might now perform the Uposatha and recite the Pāṭimokkha, and then invite (on the full moon) of the coming “water-lily” fourth month.

“‘This is the motion.

(Mv.IV.18.4) “‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. While we have been living together in unity, courteously, without dispute, a certain level of comfort has been achieved.

“‘If we were to invite now, and if there are monks who, having invited, would leave to go wandering, we would be deprived of our level of comfort.

“‘The Saṅgha is making an Invitation-delay so that it will now perform the Uposatha and recite the Pāṭimokkha, and then invite (on the full moon) of the coming “water-lily” fourth month.

“‘He to whom the making of an Invitation-delay — so that (the Saṅgha) will now perform the Uposatha and recite the Pāṭimokkha, and then invite when the “water-lily” fourth month arrives — is agreeable should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘An Invitation-delay has been made by the Saṅgha so that it will now perform the Uposatha and recite the Pāṭimokkha, and then invite (on the full moon) of the coming “water-lily” fourth month.

“‘This is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent.

“‘Thus do I hold it.’

(Mv.IV.18.5) “If, when those monks have made an Invitation-delay, a certain monk should say, ‘Friends, I want to set out on a wandering tour of the countryside. I have business in the countryside,’ then he should be told, ‘Friend, it would be good if you invited and then went.’

“Monks, if, as that monk is inviting, he cancels the Invitation of a certain monk, then he should be told, ‘Friend, you’re not in charge of my Invitation. I won’t invite yet.’

“Monks, if, as that monk is inviting, a certain monk cancels his Invitation, then the Saṅgha should cross-question them both and investigate, then deal with them in line with the rule.

(Mv.IV.18.6) “If that monk should conclude his business in the countryside and return to the residence within the “water-lily” fourth month, and if, as the monks are inviting, a certain monk cancels his Invitation, he should be told, ‘Friend, you’re not in charge of my Invitation. I’ve (already) invited.’

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“If, as the monks are inviting, he cancels the Invitation of a certain monk, then the Saṅgha should cross-question them both and investigate, then deal with them in line with the rule(2). Then the Saṅgha should invite.”

The Invitation Khandhaka, the fourth, is finished.