At that time there was a number of monks staying in the wilderness. They did not set out water for drinking or water for washing, did not light fires or provide fire-making implements, and did not know the constellations or the regions. Criminals went to that place and asked the monks, “Sir, is there any water for drinking?” —“No, there isn’t.” —“Is there any water for washing?” —“No.” —“Is there any fire?” —“No.” —“Are there any fire-making implements?” —“No.” —“Which constellation is the moon in today?” —“We don’t know.” —“Which region is this?” —“We don’t know.” Thinking, “They’re not monks; they’re criminals,” they beat them up and left. The monks told other monks what had happened and they in turn told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “Well then, I’ll lay down the proper conduct for monks staying in the wilderness.

After getting up early in the morning, a monk who is staying in the wilderness should put his bowl in its bag, hang it from his shoulder, put his robe over his shoulders, put on his sandals, put the wooden and ceramic goods in order, close the door and windows, and come down from his dwelling. When he’s about to enter the village, he should remove his sandals, hold them low and knock them together. He should put them in a bag, which he should hang from his shoulder. He should put on his sarong evenly all around, covering the navel and the knees, and he should put on a belt. Putting the upper robes together, overlapping each other edge-to-edge, he should put them on and fasten the toggle. He should rinse his bowl, bring it along, and enter the village carefully and without hurry. He should be well-covered while walking in inhabited areas; he should be well-restrained while walking in inhabited areas; he should lower his eyes while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t lift his robe while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t laugh loudly while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t be noisy while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t sway his body while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t swing his arms while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t sway his head while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t have his hands on his hips while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t cover his head while walking in inhabited areas; he shouldn’t move about while squatting on his heels in inhabited areas.