འདལ་བ་གཞ 3.23

3.23

along with the village, the walkway, the hall, and the gatehouse, leaving the monastery inundated with water. If I direct the lifting of restrictions by reciting the lifting of restrictions three times, it will become a hindrance to my life, my ascetic way, and my holy living! I should direct the lifting of restrictions with the lifting of restrictions recited once.’

“Suppose he then directs the lifting of restrictions with the lifting of restrictions recited once—that is the reason for the lifting of restrictions recited once.

“For what reason is the lifting of restrictions repeated twice? In the event there is no opportunity to repeat the lifting of restrictions three times, in that case the lifting of restrictions is repeated twice.

“For what reason is the lifting of restrictions repeated thrice? Under normal conditions.

“For what reason is there a lifting of restrictions as an assembly? Villagers may flee from danger posed by an army disturbing the forest. In that case, the monks should put their robes into a satchel,⁸⁸ look at one another, and say, ‘Venerable ones, although today is the fifteenth, the saṅgha’s lifting of restrictions, we will lift restrictions when we have obtained a quorum of saṅgha.’ Then they should leave. This is the reason for the lifting of restrictions as an assembly.”

A Well-Gathered Assembly

Upāli asked the Blessed Buddha, “Honorable One, if the monks make the following rule as they settle for the rains—‘Venerable ones, if a relative⁸⁹ of any among us should arrive during the rains retreat, the lifting of restrictions should be extended to him’⁹⁰—Honorable One, should such a lifting of restrictions be extended to him or not?”

“Upāli, it should be extended to him.”

“Should the lifting of restrictions be extended to him if he puts forward a matter but not a person?”⁹¹

“Upāli, it should not be extended. Say the following to him: