[159] Now at that time, in a certain dwelling-place, an exceedingly small Uposatha hall (uposathāgāra) had been designated. On the Uposatha day a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus had assembled, and the bhikkhus, seated on undesignated ground, heard the Pātimokkha. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the Uposatha should be performed after designating an Uposatha hall; but we, seated on undesignated ground, have heard the Pātimokkha. Has our Uposatha been performed, or has it not been performed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Bhikkhus, whether one is seated on designated ground or on undesignated ground, from wherever one hears the Pātimokkha, the Uposatha has been performed by him. Well then, bhikkhus, let the Saṅgha designate as large an Uposatha frontage (uposathamukha) as it desires. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be designated: first the boundary-marks (nimitta) should be announced; having announced the boundary-marks, the Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. Insofar as the boundary-marks have been announced all around, if the Saṅgha is ready, let the Saṅgha designate the Uposatha frontage by these boundary-marks. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. Insofar as the boundary-marks have been announced all around, the Saṅgha designates the Uposatha frontage by these boundary-marks. Whichever venerable one approves of the designation of the Uposatha frontage by these boundary-marks, let him be silent; whoever does not approve should speak.
"'The Uposatha frontage has been designated by the Saṅgha by these boundary-marks. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.