[428] Now at that time several bhikkhus were dwelling in a forest. They did not set out drinking water, did not set out water for washing, did not keep a fire ready, did not keep fire-making sticks ready, did not know the courses of the constellations, and did not know the quarters of the directions. Thieves, having gone there, said to those bhikkhus: "Venerable sirs, is there drinking water?"
"There is not, friends."
"Venerable sirs, is there water for washing?"
"There is not, friends."
"Venerable sirs, is there a fire?"
"There is not, friends."
"Venerable sirs, are there fire-making sticks?"
"There is not, friends."
"Venerable sirs, with what constellation is today conjoined?"
"Indeed, friends, we do not know."
"Venerable sirs, which direction is this?"
"Indeed, friends, we do not know."
Then those thieves, [thinking:] "These have neither drinking water, nor water for washing, nor fire, nor fire-making sticks; they do not know the courses of the constellations, they do not know the quarters of the directions — these are thieves; these are not bhikkhus," beat them and departed. Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
Then the Blessed One, on account of that occasion, in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, I shall lay down a rule of conduct for forest-dwelling bhikkhus, according to which forest-dwelling bhikkhus should conduct themselves properly."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.