(Mv.VIII.16.1) [156] Now at that time monks, having eaten finer staple foods, unalert, with muddled mindfulness, fell sleep. Having falling asleep with muddled mindfulness, unalert, they emitted semen because of a dream. The lodging was splattered with semen. Then the Blessed One, on an inspection tour of the lodgings with Ven. Ānanda as his attendant monk, saw the lodging splattered with semen. On seeing it, he addressed Ven. Ānanda, “Ānanda, why is this lodging splattered?”

“At this time, lord, the monks, having eaten finer staple foods, unalert, with muddled mindfulness, fell sleep. Having falling asleep with muddled mindfulness, unalert, they emitted semen because of a dream.

“That’s why the lodging is splattered with semen.”

(Mv.VIII.16.2) “So it is, Ānanda. So it is, Ānanda. Indeed, having falling asleep unalert, with muddled mindfulness, they emitted semen because of a dream.

“Those monks who fall asleep alert, with mindfulness established, don’t emit semen.

“Even run-of-the-mill people, having gone beyond passion for sensuality(2), don’t emit semen. Ānanda, it is impossible that an arahant would emit semen.”

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

“Monks, just now, as I was on an inspection tour of the lodgings with Ven. Ānanda as my attendant, I saw a lodging splattered with semen.

“On seeing it, I addressed Ven. Ānanda, ‘Ānanda, why is this lodging splattered?’

“‘At this time, lord, monks, having eaten finer staple foods, unalert, with muddled mindfulness, fell sleep. Having falling asleep unalert, with muddled mindfulness, they emitted semen because of a dream. That’s why the lodging is splattered with semen.’

“‘So it is, Ānanda. So it is, Ānanda. Indeed, having falling asleep unalert, with muddled mindfulness, they emitted semen because of a dream. Those monks who fall asleep alert, with mindfulness established, don’t emit semen. Even run-of-the-mill people, having gone beyond sensuality, don’t emit semen.

“‘Ānanda, it is impossible that an arahant would emit semen.’

(Mv.VIII.16.3) “Monks, there are these five drawbacks for one who falls asleep unalert, with muddled mindfulness:

“One sleeps poorly, wakes poorly, dreams evil dreams; the devas do not protect one; one emits semen.

“These are the five drawbacks for one who falls asleep unalert, with muddled mindfulness.

“Monks, there are these five benefits for one who falls asleep alert, with mindfulness established:

“One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams; the devas protect one; one does not emit semen.

“Monks, these are the five benefits for one who falls asleep alert, with mindfulness established.

“Monks, I allow a sitting cloth for protecting one’s body, protecting one’s robes, protecting the lodging.”

(Mv.VIII.16.4) Now at that time the sitting cloths were too small, and couldn’t protect the entire dwelling. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a sheet be made as large as one wants.”

(Mv.VIII.17.1) [157] Now at that time Ven. Ānanda’s preceptor, Ven. Velaṭṭhasīsa, was sick with small pox/chicken pox.(3) His robes stuck to his body because of the discharge. Repeatedly wetting them with water, the monks pulled them off. Then the Blessed One, wandering on a tour of the lodgings, saw the monks repeatedly wetting those robes with water and pulling them off. On seeing them, he went to the monks and, on arrival, said to them, “What is this monk’s illness?”

“Lord, this venerable one is sick with small pox/chicken pox. His robes stick to his body because of the discharge. Wetting them repeatedly, we are pulling them off.”

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

“Monks, I allow a skin-eruption covering cloth for anyone with rashes, pustules, running sores, or small pox/chicken pox.

(Mv.VIII.18.1) [158] Then Visākhā, Migāra’s mother, taking a handkerchief (cloth for wiping the face/mouth), went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed to the Blessed One, sat to one side. As she was sitting there, she said to him, “Lord, may the Blessed One accept my handkerchief, which will be for my long-term welfare and happiness.”

The Blessed One accepted the handkerchief. Then the Blessed One instructed, urged, roused, & encouraged Visākhā, Migāra’s mother, with a Dhamma talk. Having been instructed, urged, roused, & encouraged by the Blessed One’s Dhamma talk, she got up from her seat, bowed down to him, circumambulated him, keeping him to her right, and left.

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

“Monks, I allow a handkerchief (cloth for wiping the face/mouth).”

(Mv.VIII.19.1)

[159] Now at that time Roja the Mallan was a friend of Ven. Ānanda. A linen rag of Roja the Mallan’s came into Ven. Ānanda’s hand. Ven. Ānanda was in need of a linen rag.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that an object be taken on trust when (the owner) is endowed with five qualities: he is an acquaintance, an intimate, has spoken (of the matter), is still alive, and one knows, ‘He will be pleased with my taking it.’ I allow that an object be taken on trust when (the owner) is endowed with these five qualities.”(4)

(Mv.VIII.20.1) [160] Now at that time the monks’ triple-robes were complete, but they needed water strainers and bags.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow requisite-cloth.”(5)