[605] Now at that time bhikkhus were sick. The bhikkhus who inquired after the sick said this to the sick bhikkhus: "We hope, friends, that you are bearing up; we hope that you are getting along."
"Formerly, friends, we would kindle a fire and warm ourselves; thereby we were comfortable. But now, being scrupulous, thinking, 'It has been prohibited by the Blessed One,' we do not warm ourselves; thereby we are not comfortable."
They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow a sick bhikkhu, having kindled a fire or having had one kindled, to warm himself. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Whatever bhikkhu, not being sick, desirous of warming himself, should kindle a fire or have one kindled, there is an offense of pācittiya."
And thus this training rule came to be laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.