(Mv.V.1.28) [5] Then the Blessed One addressed the monks, “Monks, this is how sons of good families declare gnosis. The meaning (of gnosis) is stated, but without mention of self. Yet there are some worthless men who declare gnosis as if in jest. They will fall into trouble afterwards.”

(Mv.V.1.29) Then the Blessed One addressed Ven. Soṇa, “Soṇa, you are delicate. I allow you single-soled leather footwear.”

“Lord, having abandoned eighty cartloads of gold and a guard with seven elephants, I went forth from the home life into homelessness.

“If I were to wear single-soled leather footwear, there would be those who would say, ‘Soṇa Koḷivisa, having abandoned eighty cartloads of gold and troops with seven elephants, went forth from the home life into homelessness. But now he’s attached to single-soled leather footwear.’(2)

(Mv.V.1.30) “If the Blessed One allows it for the Saṅgha of monks, I will make use of it. But if the Blessed One doesn’t allow it for the Saṅgha of monks, I won’t make use of it.”

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“I allow single-soled leather footwear. Double-soled leather footwear should not be worn. Triple-soled leather footwear should not be worn. Multi-soled leather footwear should not be worn. Whoever should wear it: an offense of wrong doing.”(3)