[11] Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was sick at Kosambī. His relatives sent a messenger to that bhikkhu, saying, "Let the venerable one come; we will nurse him." The bhikkhus too spoke thus: "Go, friend; your relatives will nurse you."
He replied thus: "Friends, a training rule (sikkhāpada) has been laid down by the Blessed One: 'One is not to stay apart from the three robes.' I am sick and unable to set out taking the three robes with me. I will not go."
They reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma with regard to that source, with regard to that occasion, addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, I allow the giving to a sick bhikkhu of an agreement (sammati) of non-separation from the three robes. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given: That sick bhikkhu should approach the Saṅgha, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, pay homage at the feet of the senior bhikkhus, squat down on his heels, raise his joined palms, and should be told to speak thus: 'Venerable sirs, I am sick and unable to set out taking the three robes with me. I, venerable sirs, request from the Saṅgha the agreement of non-separation from the three robes.' It should be requested a second time also; it should be requested a third time also.
"The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. This bhikkhu named so-and-so is sick and unable to set out taking the three robes with him. He requests from the Saṅgha the agreement of non-separation from the three robes. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should give to the bhikkhu named so-and-so the agreement of non-separation from the three robes. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. This bhikkhu named so-and-so is sick and unable to set out taking the three robes with him. He requests from the Saṅgha the agreement of non-separation from the three robes. The Saṅgha gives to the bhikkhu named so-and-so the agreement of non-separation from the three robes. To whichever venerable one the giving of the agreement of non-separation from the three robes to the bhikkhu named so-and-so is agreeable, let him be silent; to whomever it is not agreeable, let him speak.
"'The agreement of non-separation from the three robes has been given by the Saṅgha to the bhikkhu named so-and-so. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'
"And thus, bhikkhus, should you recite this training rule: When a bhikkhu's robe-making is finished and the kaṭhina has been withdrawn, if a bhikkhu should stay apart from the three robes even for a single night, except with the agreement of the bhikkhus, it entails relinquishment and confession (nissaggiya pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.