[87] Now at that time a certain bhikkhu at Kosambī was ill. His relatives sent a messenger to that bhikkhu, saying: "Let the venerable one¹ come; we will nurse him." The bhikkhus also spoke thus: "Go, friend; your relatives will nurse you."
He replied thus: "Friends, a training rule has been laid down by the Blessed One: 'When a bhikkhu has had a new felt rug (santhata) made, it is to be kept for six years.' Now I am ill and am not able to set out taking the rug with me, and without the rug I am not at ease. I will not go."
They informed the Blessed One of this matter. Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma with reference to that cause, with reference to that occasion, addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, I allow a rug-authorization (santhata-sammati) to be given to a bhikkhu who is ill. And thus, bhikkhus, is it to be given: that ill bhikkhu, having approached the Saṅgha, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, having paid homage at the feet of the senior bhikkhus, having sat down on his heels and raised his joined palms, should speak thus: 'Venerable sirs, I am ill; I am not able to set out taking the rug with me. Venerable sirs, I request the rug-authorization from the Saṅgha.' The request should be made a second time; the request should be made a third time. 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 ill; he is not able to set out taking the rug with him. He requests the rug-authorization from the Saṅgha. If it seems right to the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha give the rug-authorization to the bhikkhu named so-and-so. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. This bhikkhu named so-and-so is ill; he is not able to set out taking the rug with him. He requests the rug-authorization from the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha gives the rug-authorization to the bhikkhu named so-and-so. Any venerable one to whom the giving of the rug-authorization to the bhikkhu named so-and-so is agreeable should remain silent; anyone to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'The rug-authorization 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, you should recite this training rule: When a bhikkhu has had a new felt rug made, it is to be kept for six years. If, within less than six years, whether he has relinquished that rug or has not relinquished it, he should have another new rug made — except with the authorization of the bhikkhus — it entails relinquishment and confession (nissaggiya pācittiya)."
¹ Pali footnote: the Burmese (M.) edition reads "bhadanto" for "bhaddanto"; so also below.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.