… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain caravan was desirous of going from Rājagaha to the south. A certain monk spoke thus to these people: “I will go together with the venerable ones.”

“But we, honoured sir, shall evade the tax.”

“Do you understand (how to do so), sirs?” Then the overseers heard: “A caravan will evade the tax.” They infested the way. Then these overseers, having seized and ransacked that caravan, spoke thus to that monk:

“How is it that you, honoured sir, knowingly go together with a caravan (set on) theft?” (and) having detained him they set him free. Then that monk, having arrived at Sāvatthī, told this matter to the monks. Those who were modest monks … spread it about, saying:

“How can a monk, having arranged together with a caravan (set on) theft, knowingly go along the same highroad?” …

“Is it true, as is said, that you, monk, … knowingly went along the same high road?”

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked him, saying:

“How can you, foolish man, having arranged together with a caravan (set on) theft, knowingly go along the same high road? It is not, foolish man, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … And thus, monks, this rule of training should be set forth:

“Whatever monk, having arranged together with a caravan (set on) theft, should knowingly go along the same high road, even among villages, there is an offence of expiation.”

Whatever means: … monk is to be understood in this case.

He knows means: either he knows by himself, or others tell him, or (someone) tells him.

Caravan (set on) theft means: they are thieves who have done the deed or who have not done the deed; or they go for the robbing of kings or they evade the tax.

Together with means: together.

Having arranged means: if one arranges, saying, “We are going, reverend sir, we are going, honoured sir, we are going, honoured sir, we are going, reverend sir, we are going either today or tomorrow or the next day,” there is an offence of wrong-doing.

Even among villages means: in a village close enough for a cock (to walk), among every (such) village, there is an offence of expiation. For every half yojana in what is not a village, in the jungle, there is an offence of expiation.

If he thinks that a caravan is (set on) theft when the caravan is (set on) theft, and having arranged, goes along the same high road, even among villages, there is an offence of expiation. If he is in doubt as to whether a caravan is (set on) theft … offence of wrong-doing. If he thinks that a caravan is not (set on) theft when the caravan is (set on) theft … no offence. If monks arrange (and) the people do not arrange, there is an offence of wrong-doing. If he thinks that the caravan is (set on) theft when the caravan is not (set on) theft, there is an offence of wrong-doing. If he is in doubt as to whether the caravan is not (set on) theft, there is an offence of wrong-doing. If he thinks that the caravan is not (set on) theft when the caravan is not (set on) theft, there is no offence.

There is no offence if they go not having arranged; if the people arrange (and) monks do not arrange; if they go without (making) a rendezvous; if there are accidents; if he is mad, if he is the first wrong-doer.

The Sixth