(Mv.VIII.13.6) [151] Now at that time, some Group-of-six monks, (thinking,) “The Blessed One allows (sets of) triple-robes,” entered the village wearing one set of triple-robes, stayed in the monastery wearing another set, and went down to bathe in still another. Those monks who were modest … criticized and complained and spread it about: “How can the Group-of-six monks wear extra robe-cloth?”

Then the monks reported the matter to the Blessed One.

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks: “Monks, extra robe-cloth is not to be kept. Whoever should keep it should be dealt with according to the rule.”

(Mv.VIII.13.7) Now at that time extra robe-cloth accrued to Ven. Ānanda. He wanted to give it to Ven. Sāriputta. But Ven. Sāriputta was staying at Sāketa. The thought occurred to him, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that, ‘Extra robe-cloth is not to be kept.’ But this extra robe-cloth has accrued to me and I want to give it to Ven. Sāriputta. But Ven. Sāriputta is staying at Sāketa. Now what line of conduct should I follow?”

Then Ven. Ānanda reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“But, Ānanda, in how long will Sāriputta come here?”

“On the ninth day or the tenth, O Blessed One”

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

(Mv.VIII.13.8) “Monks, I allow that extra robe-cloth (a spare robe) be kept/worn for ten days at most.” [1]

Now at that time extra robe-cloth accrued to the monks. They thought, “Now what line of conduct should we follow regarding the extra robe-cloth?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that extra robe-cloth (a spare robe) be placed under shared ownership.”

(Mv.VIII.14.1) [152] Then the Blessed One, having stayed at Vesālī as long as he liked, set out on a wandering tour toward Bārāṇasī, and traveling by stages, arrived at Bārāṇasī. He stayed there in Bārāṇasī, at the Game Refuge at Isipatana. Now at that time a certain monk’s lower robe developed a hole. The thought occurred to him, “The Blessed One has allowed triple-robes: a double-layer outer robe, a single-thickness[2] upper robe, and a single-thickness lower robe.

“But my lower robe has developed a hole. What if I were to put on a patch? The surrounding edge will be two layers and the middle single-thickness.”

(Mv.VIII.14.2) So the monk put on the patch. As the Blessed One was wandering on a tour of the lodgings, he saw the monk putting on the patch. On seeing him, he went to the monk and said to him, “Monk, what are you doing?”

“I’m putting on a patch, Blessed One.”

“Good, good, monk. It’s good that you are putting on a patch.”

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, when the cloths are undamaged, or their damage is repaired, I allow a double-layer outer robe, a single-thickness upper robe, a single-thickness lower robe; when the cloths are weathered and worn, a four-layer outer robe, a double-layer upper robe, a double-layer lower robe.

“An effort may be made, as much as you need, with regard to cast-off cloth and shop-remnant cloth.

“I allow a patch, stitching, folding, that a sheet be made, sealing, reinforcing.” [3]