(Mv.II.18.1) [177] Then the Blessed One, having stayed at Codanāvatthu as long as he liked, returned to Rājagaha. Now at that time people asked the monks as they were going for alms, “Which day of the fortnight is it, venerable sirs?”

The monks said, “We don’t know, friends.”

The people criticized and complained and spread it about, “These Sakyan-son contemplatives don’t even know how to calculate the fortnight, so how will they know anything else that’s admirable?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the calculation of the fortnight be learned.”

(Mv.II.18.2) Then the thought occurred to the monks, “By whom should the calculation of the fortnight be learned?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the calculation of the fortnight be learned by all.”

(Mv.II.18.3) Now at that time people asked the monks as they were going for alms, “How many monks are there, venerable sirs?”

The monks said, “We don’t know, friends.”

The people criticized and complained and spread it about, “These Sakyan-son contemplatives don’t even know each other, so how will they know anything else that’s admirable?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the monks be counted.”

(Mv.II.18.4) Then the thought occurred to the monks, “When should the monks be counted?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that on the Uposatha day names be counted [or: roll call be taken] or that tickets be taken.”[2]

(Mv.II.19.1) [178] Now on that occasion monks, not knowing that it was the Uposatha day, went to a distant village for alms. Some came as the Pāṭimokkha was being recited, some came when it had just been recited.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that it be announced, ‘Today is the Uposatha day.’”

Then the thought occurred to the monks, “By whom should it be announced?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the senior monk announce it in good time.”

Now on that occasion a certain senior monk didn’t remember in good time. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow him to announce it at the time of the meal.”

He didn’t remember at the meal either. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow him to announce it at whatever time he remembers.”[3]