[164] Now at that time a certain bhikkhu spent the rains alone. The people there gave robes, saying, "We give them to the Saṅgha." Then it occurred to that bhikkhu: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the smallest Saṅgha is a group of four; but I am alone, and these people gave robes saying, 'We give them to the Saṅgha.' What if I were to take these robes belonging to the Saṅgha to Sāvatthī?" Then that bhikkhu, taking those robes, went to Sāvatthī and reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhu, those robes are yours alone until the withdrawal of the kaṭhina.
"Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu spends the rains alone. The people there give robes, saying, 'We give them to the Saṅgha.' Bhikkhus, I allow those robes to him alone until the withdrawal of the kaṭhina."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu dwelt alone during the season (outside the rains). The people there gave robes, saying, "We give them to the Saṅgha." Then it occurred to that bhikkhu: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the smallest Saṅgha is a group of four; but I am alone, and these people gave robes saying, 'We give them to the Saṅgha.' What if I were to take these robes belonging to the Saṅgha to Sāvatthī?" Then that bhikkhu, taking those robes, went to Sāvatthī and reported this matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow them to be distributed by a Saṅgha that is present.
"Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells alone during the season. The people there give robes, saying, 'We give them to the Saṅgha.' Bhikkhus, I allow that bhikkhu to determine those robes: 'These robes are mine.' If, bhikkhus, while that robe-cloth has not yet been determined by that bhikkhu, another bhikkhu arrives, an equal share should be given. If, bhikkhus, while that robe-cloth is being divided by those bhikkhus but the kusa-grass lots have not yet been cast, another bhikkhu arrives, an equal share should be given. If, bhikkhus, while that robe-cloth is being divided by those bhikkhus and the kusa-grass lots have been cast, another bhikkhu arrives, a share need not be given if they are unwilling."
Now at that time two elders who were brothers, the Venerable Isidāsa and the Venerable Isibhatta, having spent the rains in Sāvatthī, went to a certain village monastery. The people, saying, "At long last the elders have come!" gave meals together with robes. The resident bhikkhus asked the elders: "Venerable sirs, these robes belonging to the Saṅgha have arisen on account of the elders. Will the elders consent to a share?" The elders said this: "As we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, friends, those robes are yours alone until the withdrawal of the kaṭhina."
Now at that time three bhikkhus were spending the rains at Rājagaha. The people there gave robes, saying, "We give them to the Saṅgha." Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the smallest Saṅgha is a group of four; but we are three persons, and these people give robes saying, 'We give them to the Saṅgha.' How, then, should we proceed?" Now at that time several elders — the Venerable Nīlavāsī, the Venerable Sāṇavāsī, the Venerable Gopaka, the Venerable Bhagu, and the Venerable Phalikasandāna — were dwelling at Pāṭaliputta, in the Kukkuṭārāma. Then those bhikkhus, having gone to Pāṭaliputta, asked the elders. The elders said this: "As we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, friends, those robes are yours alone until the withdrawal of the kaṭhina."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.