[221] Now at that time a rains residence (vassāvāsa) had been promised by the venerable Upananda the Sakyan son to King Pasenadi of Kosala for the earlier period. As he was going to that residence, he saw along the way two residences with abundant robe-cloth. It occurred to him: "What if I were to spend the rains in these two residences? In that way much robe-cloth will accrue to me." He spent the rains in those two residences. King Pasenadi of Kosala criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can master Upananda the Sakyan son, having promised us a rains residence, break his word? Has not false speech been censured by the Blessed One in many ways, and abstinence from false speech praised?" Bhikkhus heard King Pasenadi of Kosala criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can the venerable Upananda the Sakyan son, having promised King Pasenadi of Kosala a rains residence, break his word? Has not false speech been censured by the Blessed One in many ways, and abstinence from false speech praised?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, on that occasion and in that connection, having had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus convened, questioned the venerable Upananda the Sakyan son: "Is it true, as they say, Upananda, that you, having promised King Pasenadi of Kosala a rains residence, broke your word?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How can you, foolish man, having promised King Pasenadi of Kosala a rains residence, break your word? Has not false speech been censured by me in many ways, foolish man, and abstinence from false speech praised? This, foolish man, is not for the confidence of those without confidence …" Having rebuked him and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus:
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he sees along the way two residences with abundant robe-cloth. It occurs to him: 'What if I were to spend the rains in these two residences? In that way much robe-cloth will accrue to me.' He spends the rains in those two residences. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing (dukkaṭa) on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he performs the uposatha outside; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having no business, he departs that very day. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he performs the uposatha outside; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having business, he departs that very day. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he performs the uposatha outside; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having stayed two or three days, he departs having no business. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he performs the uposatha outside; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having stayed two or three days, he departs having business. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he performs the uposatha outside; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having stayed two or three days, he departs on business allowing seven days' absence. He lets that seven-day period pass while outside. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period … Having stayed two or three days, he departs on business allowing seven days' absence. He makes his return within that seven days. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does count, and there is no offense on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Going to that residence, he performs the uposatha outside; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. When seven days remain before the Pavāraṇā, he departs having business. Whether that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, returns to that residence or does not return, for that bhikkhu the earlier period does count, and there is no offense on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Having gone to that residence, he performs the uposatha; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having no business, he departs that very day. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Having gone to that residence, he performs the uposatha; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. Having business, he departs that very day … Having stayed two or three days, he departs having no business … Having stayed two or three days, he departs having business … Having stayed two or three days, he departs on business allowing seven days' absence. He lets that seven-day period pass while outside. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does not count, and there is an offense of wrongdoing on account of the promise. … Having stayed two or three days, he departs on business allowing seven days' absence. He makes his return within that seven days. For that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, the earlier period does count, and there is no offense on account of the promise.
"Here, bhikkhus, a rains residence has been promised by a bhikkhu for the earlier period. Having gone to that residence, he performs the uposatha; on the following day he enters the dwelling, prepares the lodging, sets out drinking water and water for use, and sweeps the surrounding yard. When seven days remain before the Pavāraṇā, he departs having business. Whether that bhikkhu, bhikkhus, returns to that residence or does not return, for that bhikkhu the earlier period does count, and there is no offense on account of the promise."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.