[292] Now at that time, in a certain village monastery not far from Sāvatthī, the resident bhikkhus were being troubled by having to prepare lodgings (senāsana) for incoming and departing bhikkhus. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "At present, friends, we are troubled by having to prepare lodgings for incoming and departing bhikkhus. Come, friends, let us give all the lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha to one bhikkhu; we shall use them as his property." They gave all the lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha to one bhikkhu.
Incoming bhikkhus said this to those resident bhikkhus: "Friends, prepare lodgings for us." "There are no lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha, friends; we have given them all to one bhikkhu." "But friends, have you given away lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha?" "Even so, friends."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … were vexed, criticized, and complained: "How can bhikkhus give away lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that bhikkhus are giving away lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can those foolish men give away lodgings belonging to the Saṅgha? This, bhikkhus, does not conduce to the confidence of those without confidence …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, these five things are not to be given away (avissajjiya); they must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, they are not given away; whoever should give them away commits an offence of thullaccaya (grave offence). What are the five?
"A monastery park, the site of a monastery park — this is the first thing not to be given away; it must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, it is not given away; whoever should give it away commits an offence of thullaccaya.
"A dwelling, the site of a dwelling — this is the second thing not to be given away; it must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, it is not given away; whoever should give it away commits an offence of thullaccaya.
"A bed, a bench, a mattress, a pillow — this is the third thing not to be given away; it must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, it is not given away; whoever should give it away commits an offence of thullaccaya.
"A metal pot, a metal jar, a metal bucket, a metal basin, an adze, an axe, a hatchet, a hoe, a chisel — this is the fourth thing not to be given away; it must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, it is not given away; whoever should give it away commits an offence of thullaccaya.
"Creepers, bamboo, muñja grass, pabbaja grass, grass, clay, wooden goods, earthenware goods — this is the fifth thing not to be given away; it must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, it is not given away; whoever should give it away commits an offence of thullaccaya.
"These, bhikkhus, are the five things not to be given away; they must not be given away by a Saṅgha, by a group, or by an individual. Even if given away, they are not given away; whoever should give them away commits an offence of thullaccaya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.