འདལ་བ་གཞ 4.9

4.9

in the town of Hastibāla there lives a householder named Udayana. Having taken into his house a wife who would serve as his consort, he offered much cloth and much food. Thus it was, venerable ones, that we were at ease pledging to settle for the rains and were not wearied by seeking alms in the town of Hastibāla.”

They said, “Venerable ones, that householder also sent us a messenger with the message, ‘Noble ones! Come, I will give you sustenance.’ When we asked how far the town of Hastibāla was, we were told it was just over three furlongs. Then we thought of the Blessed One’s statement, ‘A monk who has pledged to settle for the rains should not go beyond the boundary. If he does, he should not remain there,’ and did not go.”

The monks informed the Blessed One of this matter and the Blessed One thought, “Ah! My disciples desire goods of cloth and food, so I will permit them a leave of seven days so that the monks may settle at ease and partake of the donations made by patrons.”

Then the Blessed One said,⁴³ “Therefore, I consent: once excused, monks may leave for up to seven days on account of business.”

Seven-Day Leave on Account of Business

When the Blessed One said, “Therefore, I consent: once excused, monks may leave for up to seven days on account of business,” the monks did not know what business the Blessed One intended so the monks asked the Blessed One and the Blessed One replied, “A male lay vow holder’s business, a female lay vow holder’s business, a monk’s business, a nun’s business, a nun postulant’s business,⁴⁴ a male novice’s business, and a female novice’s business.

“What is a male lay vow holder’s business? If a male lay vow holder, having taken into his house a wife who would serve as his consort,