(Mv.VIII.20.2) Now at that time the thought occurred to the monks, “Whatever triple-robes, or rains-bathing cloths, or sitting cloths, or sheets, or skin-eruption cloths, or handkerchiefs, or requisite-cloths that have been allowed by the Blessed One — should they all be determined or should they be placed under shared ownership?

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that the triple-robes be determined but not placed under shared ownership;

“that the rains-bathing cloth be determined for the four months of the rains, and afterwards placed under shared ownership;

“that the sitting cloth be determined, not placed under shared ownership;

“that the sheet be determined, not placed under shared ownership;

“that the skin-eruption cover cloth be determined as long as one is sick, and afterwards placed under shared ownership;

“that the handkerchief be determined, not placed under shared ownership;

“that requisite-cloth be determined, not placed under shared ownership.”

(Mv.VIII.21.1) Then the thought occurred to the monks, “What is the smallest piece of cloth that should be placed under shared ownership?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow you to place under shared ownership a cloth at least eight fingerbreadths in length, using the sugata-fingerbreadth, and four fingerbreadths in width.”

Now at that time Ven Mahā Kassapa’s (robe) made of cast-off cloth became heavy.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a rough stitch be made.”

It got frayed (uneven/worn) edges.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the uneven edge be removed.”

The stitches came out.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a border and a binding (for the edge of the border) be put on.

Now at that time the (two) layers of the outer robe came apart.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a grid (of stitches) be made.”(1)

(Mv.VIII.21.2) [161] Now at that time, when a certain monk’s robes were being made, he was unable to make them all cut-up.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow two cut-up (robes), one not cut up.”

He was unable to (make) two cut-up (robes), one not cut up.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow two robes not cut up, one cut up.”

He was unable to (make) one cut-up (robe), two not cut up.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a seam-strip be added. But a completely uncut-up (set of robes) should not be worn. Whoever should wear it: an offense of wrong doing.”

(Mv.VIII.22.1) [162] Now at that time a lot of robe-cloth accrued to a certain monk. So he wanted to give the robe-cloth to his parents.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“‘Mother and father’: What could I say about giving (to them)?

“Monks, I allow giving to one’s mother and father. But a gift of faith should not be brought to waste. Whoever does so: an offense of wrong doing.”(2)

(Mv.VIII.23.1) [163] Now at that time a certain monk, leaving his (outer) robe in the Grove of the Blind, entered the village for alms wearing just an upper and lower robe. Thieves stole the robe. The monk was then poorly clothed, with worn-out robes. The monks said to him, “Friend, why are you poorly clothed, with worn-out robes?”

“Just now, friends, leaving my (outer) robe in the Grove of the Blind, I entered the village for alms wearing just an upper and lower robe. Thieves stole the robe. That’s why I’m poorly clothed, with worn-out robes.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, one should not enter a village with just an upper and lower robe. Whoever does so: an offense of wrong doing.”

(Mv.VIII.23.2) Now at that time Ven. Ānanda, out of a lapse in mindfulness, entered the village wearing just an upper and lower robe. The monks said to him, “Friend Ānanda, wasn’t it laid down by the Blessed One that, ‘One should not enter the village with just an upper and lower robe?’ Why did you enter the village wearing just an upper and lower robe?”

“Friends, it’s true that it was laid down by the Blessed One that, ‘One should not enter the village with just an upper and lower robe.’ It’s just that I entered out of a lapse in mindfulness.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

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

(Mv.VIII.23.3) “Monks, there are these five reasons for putting aside the outer robe: One is sick, there is sign of rain, one is crossing a river, the dwelling is protected with a latch, or the kaṭhina has been spread. These are the five reasons for putting aside the outer robe.

“Monks, there are these five reasons for putting aside the upper robe: One is sick, there is sign of rain, one is crossing a river, the dwelling is protected with a latch, or the kaṭhina has been spread. These are the five reasons for putting aside the upper robe.

“Monks, there are these five reasons for putting aside the lower robe: One is sick, there is sign of rain, one is crossing a river, the dwelling is protected with a latch, or the kaṭhina has been spread. These are the five reasons for putting aside the lower robe.

“Monks, there are these five reasons for putting aside the rains-bathing cloth: One is sick, one is going outside the territory,(3) one is crossing a river, the dwelling is protected with a latch, the rains-bathing cloth is not made or is unfinished. These are the five reasons for putting aside the rains-bathing cloth.”(4)