[259] Then it occurred to a certain poor tailor: "This will surely be no trifling thing, seeing how carefully these people carry out the building work (navakamma). Why should I not also do building work?" Then that poor tailor, having himself kneaded the mud and piled up bricks, raised a wall. Because it was piled up unskillfully, the wall was crooked and collapsed. A second time … A third time that poor tailor, having himself kneaded the mud and piled up bricks, raised a wall. Because it was piled up unskillfully, the wall was crooked and collapsed. Then that poor tailor complained, criticized, and spread it about: "Those who give these ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick—them they advise and instruct, and they supervise their building work. But I am poor; no one advises or instructs me, or supervises my building work."
Bhikkhus heard that poor tailor complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, on that occasion, in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow the giving of building work. Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu in charge of building work shall exert himself, thinking, 'How can the dwelling (vihāra) come quickly to completion?' and shall repair what is broken and dilapidated. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be given: first the bhikkhu should be asked. Having asked him, a competent and capable bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should give the dwelling of the householder named so-and-so as building work to the bhikkhu named so-and-so. This is the motion.
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha gives the dwelling of the householder named so-and-so as building work to the bhikkhu named so-and-so. Whichever venerable one approves of the giving of the dwelling of the householder named so-and-so as building work to the bhikkhu named so-and-so, let him be silent; whoever does not approve, let him speak.
"'The dwelling of the householder named so-and-so has been given by the Saṅgha as building work to the bhikkhu named so-and-so. The Saṅgha approves; therefore it is silent. Thus I hold this matter.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.