that a monk should agree to give the instruction to the nuns, except if he’s ignorant.” They told the Buddha. “Except if you’re ignorant or sick, you should agree to give the half-monthly instruction.” On one occasion the nuns went to a monk who was about to depart “Venerable, please agree to give the half-monthly instruction.” “But I’m about to depart, sisters. How can I agree to give the instruction?” “Please agree to give the instruction, for the Buddha has laid down that a monk should agree to give the instruction to the nuns, except if he’s ignorant or sick.”