(Mv.II.17.1) [175] Then the Blessed One, having stayed at Rājagaha as long as he liked, set out on a wandering tour toward Codanāvatthu [Place of Accusation], and traveling by stages, arrived at Codanāvatthu. Now at that time several monks were staying at a certain monastery. The senior monk there was inexperienced and incompetent. He didn’t know the Uposatha or the Uposatha transaction, the Pāṭimokkha or the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha.

(Mv.II.17.2) Then the thought occurred to those monks, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the Pāṭimokkha be entrusted to the senior monk. But our senior monk here is inexperienced and incompetent. He doesn’t know the Uposatha or the Uposatha transaction, the Pāṭimokkha or the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha. What should we do?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that the Pāṭimokkha be entrusted to any monk there who is experienced and competent.”

(Mv.II.17.3) [176] Now at that time several monks — inexperienced, incompetent — were staying in a certain residence on the Uposatha day. They didn’t know the Uposatha or the Uposatha transaction, the Pāṭimokkha or the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha. They requested the senior monk, (saying,) “Venerable sir, may the elder recite the Pāṭimokkha.”

He said, “Friends, I don’t have it.”

They requested the second senior monk, (saying,) “Venerable sir, may the elder recite the Pāṭimokkha.”

He also said, “Friends, I don’t have it.”

They requested the third senior monk, (saying,) “Venerable sir, may the elder recite the Pāṭimokkha.”

He also said, “Friends, I don’t have it.”

In this way they requested down to the junior-most monk of the Saṅgha, (saying,) “May the venerable one recite the Pāṭimokkha.”

He also said, “Venerable sirs, I can’t.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

(Mv.II.17.4) “There is the case where several monks — inexperienced, incompetent — are staying in a certain residence on the Uposatha day.

“They do not know the Uposatha or the Uposatha transaction, the Pāṭimokkha or the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha.

“They request the senior monk, (saying,) ‘Venerable sir, may the elder recite the Pāṭimokkha.’

“He says, ‘Friends, I don’t have it.’

“They request the second senior monk, (saying,) ‘Venerable sir, may the elder recite the Pāṭimokkha.’

“He also says, ‘Friends, I don’t have it.’

“They request the third senior monk, (saying,) ‘Venerable sir, may the elder recite the Pāṭimokkha.’

“He also says, ‘Friends, I don’t have it.’

“In this way they request down to the junior-most monk of the Saṅgha, (saying,) ‘May the venerable one recite the Pāṭimokkha.’

“He also says, ‘Venerable sirs, I can’t.’

“Monks, one monk should be sent by the monks to a neighboring residence immediately, (saying,) ‘Go, friend. Having mastered the Pāṭimokkha in brief or in detail, come back.’”

(Mv.II.17.6) Then the thought occurred to the monks, “Who should be sent?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow the senior monk to order a junior monk.”

The junior monks, being ordered by the senior monk, didn’t go. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, one who is not sick and has been ordered by a senior monk should not not go. Whoever does not go: an offense of wrong doing.”