(Mv.VIII.7.1) [143] Now on that occasion the monks who were robe-cloth keepers stored the robe-cloth in pavilions, at the roots of trees, under eaves, and out in the open. They were chewed by rats and termites. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a storehouse be authorized wherever the Saṅgha desires: a dwelling, a barrel-vaulted building, a multi-storied building, a gabled building, or a cell.”

(Mv.VIII.7.2) “Monks, it should be authorized like this:

“An experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. If the Saṅgha is ready, it should authorize such-and-such dwelling as a storehouse.

“‘This is the motion.

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha is authorizing such-and-such dwelling as a storehouse.

“‘He to whom the authorization of such-and-such dwelling as a storehouse is agreeable should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘Such-and-such dwelling has been authorized by the Saṅgha as a storehouse.

“‘This is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent.

“‘Thus do I hold it.’”

(Mv.VIII.8.1) [144] Now on that occasion the Saṅgha’s robe-cloth in the storehouse was unguarded. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a monk endowed with five qualities be authorized as a storehouse guardian: whoever is not biased with the bias of desire, not biased with the bias of aversion, not biased with the bias of delusion, not biased with the bias of fear, and who knows what has and has not been guarded.”

“Monks, he should be authorized like this:

“First, the monk should be requested. Once he has been requested, an experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. If the Saṅgha is ready, it should authorize the monk named so-and-so as storehouse guardian.

“‘This is the motion.

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha is authorizing the monk named so-and-so as storehouse guardian.

“‘He to whom the authorization of the monk named so-and-so as storehouse guardian is agreeable should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘The monk named so-and-so has been authorized by the Saṅgha as storehouse guardian.

“‘This is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent.

“‘Thus do I hold it.’”

(Mv.VIII.8.2) [145] Now on that occasion some Group-of-six monks made the storehouse guardian move. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, a storehouse guardian is not to be made to move. Whoever should make him move: an offense of wrong doing.”

(Mv.VIII.9.1) [146] Now on that occasion the Saṅgha’s robe-cloth in the storehouse was overfull. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that (robe-cloth) be divided up among the Saṅgha that is present.”

Now on that occasion as the entire Saṅgha was dividing robe-cloth, they created an uproar. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a monk endowed with five qualities be authorized as a robe-cloth divider (distributor): whoever is not biased with the bias of desire, not biased with the bias of aversion, not biased with the bias of delusion, not biased with the bias of fear, and who knows what has and has not been divided.”

“Monks, he should be authorized like this:

“First, the monk should be requested. Once he has been requested, an experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. If the Saṅgha is ready, it should authorize the monk named so-and-so as robe-cloth divider (distributor).

“‘This is the motion.

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha is authorizing the monk named so-and-so as robe-cloth divider (distributor).

“‘He to whom the authorization of the monk named so-and-so as robe-cloth divider (distributor) is agreeable should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘The monk named so-and-so has been authorized by the Saṅgha as robe-cloth divider (distributor).

“‘This is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent.

“‘Thus do I hold it.’”

(Mv.VIII.9.2) Then the thought occurred to the monks who were robe-cloth dividers (distributors), “How should the robe-cloth be divided (distributed)?” They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that, having first sorted the cloth (by type) and estimated it (by price), having combined the attractive with the unattractive (in each portion), having counted the monks and gathered them in groups, a bundle of robe-cloth be set out (for each).” [2]

Then the thought occurred to the monks who were robe-cloth dividers (distributors), “How should the robe-cloth be divided (distributed) for the novices?” They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that half a bundle be given to novices.”

(Mv.VIII.9.3) Now on that occasion a certain monk wanted to go off with his own portion. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that one who is going off be given his own portion.”

Now on that occasion a certain monk wanted to go off with more than his own portion. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that one be given more than his portion when he gives a compensation.

(Mv.VIII.9.4) Then the thought occurred to the monks who were robe-cloth dividers (distributors), “How should the bundles of cloth be given: in order of arrival or in order of seniority?” They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that, having made up for any inequality, lots be cast with blades of kusa-grass.”