[244] Now at that time, in a certain residence in the Kosalan country, on the day of the Invitation (Pavāraṇā) there arose danger from marauders (sañcarabhaya). The bhikkhus were not able to make the invitation with the threefold statement. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow the invitation to be made with a twofold statement." The danger from marauders became more severe. The bhikkhus were not able to make the invitation with the twofold statement. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow the invitation to be made with a single statement." The danger from marauders became more severe still. The bhikkhus were not able to make the invitation with a single statement. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow the invitation to be made by those of the same number of rains [together]."
Now at that time, in a certain residence, on the day of the Invitation, most of the night had been spent by people giving gifts. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "Most of the night has been spent by these people giving gifts. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this night will grow light. How, now, should we proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Now here, bhikkhus, in a certain residence on the day of the Invitation, most of the night has been spent by people giving gifts. If it occurs to the bhikkhus there: 'Most of the night has been spent by people giving gifts. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this night will grow light,' then the Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. Most of the night has been spent by people giving gifts. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this night will grow light. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha make the invitation with a twofold statement, with a single statement, or by those of the same number of rains.'
"Now here, bhikkhus, in a certain residence on the day of the Invitation, most of the night has been spent by bhikkhus speaking the Dhamma, by those versed in the discourses reciting the discourses, by upholders of the Vinaya deciding questions of Vinaya, by speakers on the Dhamma discussing the Dhamma, or by bhikkhus quarrelling. If it occurs to the bhikkhus there: 'Most of the night has been spent by bhikkhus quarrelling. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this night will grow light,' then the Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. Most of the night has been spent by bhikkhus quarrelling. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this night will grow light. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha make the invitation with a twofold statement, with a single statement, or by those of the same number of rains.'"
Now at that time, in a certain residence in the Kosalan country, on the day of the Invitation a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus had assembled; the rain-sheltered space was small, and a great storm-cloud had arisen. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "This great Saṅgha of bhikkhus has assembled, the rain-sheltered space is small, and a great storm-cloud has arisen. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this cloud will pour down rain. How, now, should we proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Now here, bhikkhus, in a certain residence on the day of the Invitation a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus has assembled; the rain-sheltered space is small, and a great storm-cloud has arisen. If it occurs to the bhikkhus there: 'This great Saṅgha of bhikkhus has assembled, the rain-sheltered space is small, and a great storm-cloud has arisen. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this cloud will pour down rain,' then the Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. This great Saṅgha of bhikkhus has assembled; the rain-sheltered space is small, and a great storm-cloud has arisen. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this cloud will pour down rain. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha make the invitation with a twofold statement, with a single statement, or by those of the same number of rains.'
"Now here, bhikkhus, in a certain residence on the day of the Invitation there is danger from kings … there is danger from robbers; there is danger from fire; there is danger from water; there is danger from human beings; there is danger from non-human beings; there is danger from beasts of prey; there is danger from creeping things; there is danger to life; there is danger to the holy life (brahmacariya). If it occurs to the bhikkhus there: 'This is a danger to the holy life. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this danger to the holy life will come to pass,' then the Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. This is a danger to the holy life. If the Saṅgha makes the invitation with the threefold statement, the Saṅgha will still not have made the invitation, and then this danger to the holy life will come to pass. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha make the invitation with a twofold statement, with a single statement, or by those of the same number of rains.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.