Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c24.9

c24.9

**Travelling in rains when permitted.** For urgent reasons, mostly connected with religion or other imperative duties, the monks were allowed to travel out of their retreat, but the absence must not exceed a period of seven days. Thus they could respond to the call of a Bhikkhu in sickness needing their nursing, or one asking for help in his inward struggles, doubts of conscience, or tendency towards false doctrines, or one who, having committed a grave offence, has to be dealt with by a duly constituted Saṁgha with its quorum made up. Monks were also allowed to respond to the call of sick parents, brothers, sisters, relations, and co-disciples (*Bhikkhu-gatika*) [ib., 6–7].