1.0.1Origin story

1.0.2First substory

1.1Tena samayena buddho bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.At one time the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary.1.2Tena kho pana samayena devadatto parihīnalābhasakkāro sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjati.At that time, because of his loss of material support and honor, Devadatta and his followers had to ask families repeatedly to get invited to meals.1.3Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—People complained and criticized him,1.4“kathañhi nāma samaṇā sakyaputtiyā kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti.“How can the Sakyan monastics repeatedly ask families to get invited to meals?1.5Kassa sampannaṁ na manāpaṁ, kassa sāduṁ na ruccatī”ti.Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t prefer tasty food?”

1.6Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ.The monks heard the complaints of those people,1.7Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks,1.8“kathañhi nāma devadatto sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissatī”ti …pe…“How can Devadatta and his followers repeatedly ask families to get invited to meals?” …1.9“saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, devadatta, sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjasī”ti?“Is it true, Devadatta, that you do this?”

1.10“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.“It’s true, sir.”

1.11Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe…The Buddha rebuked him …1.12kathañhi nāma tvaṁ, moghapurisa, sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissasi.“Foolish man, how can you do this?1.13Netaṁ, moghapurisa, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe…This will affect people’s confidence …” …1.14evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—“And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

1.15.0First preliminary ruling

1.15.1“Gaṇabhojane pācittiyan”ti.‘If a monk eats in a group, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

1.16Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

2.0Second substory

2.1PTS 4.72Tena kho pana samayena manussā gilāne bhikkhū bhattena nimantenti.Soon afterwards people invited sick monks to a meal.2.2Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.2.3Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ.They told the Buddha.2.4Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—Soon afterwards he gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

2.5“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānena bhikkhunā gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow a sick monk to eat in a group.

2.6Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

2.7.0Second preliminary ruling

2.7.1“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.2.8Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.This is the appropriate occasion: he is sick.’”

2.9Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

3.0Third substory

3.1Tena kho pana samayena manussā cīvaradānasamaye sacīvarabhattaṁ paṭiyādetvā bhikkhū nimantenti—Soon afterwards, during the robe-giving season, people prepared a meal together with robe-cloth and then invited the monks, saying,3.2“bhojetvā cīvarena acchādessāmā”ti.“We wish to offer a meal and then give robe-cloth.”3.3Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.3.4Cīvaraṁ parittaṁ uppajjati.As a result, they only got a small amount of robe-cloth.3.5Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…They told the Buddha. …

3.6anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvaradānasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group during the robe-giving season.

3.7Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

3.8.0Third preliminary ruling

3.8.1“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.3.9Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season.’”

3.10Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

4.0Fourth substory

4.1Tena kho pana samayena manussā cīvarakārake bhikkhū bhattena nimantenti.Soon afterwards people invited the robe-making monks for a meal.4.2Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.4.3Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…They told the Buddha. …

4.4anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvarakārasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group at a time when you are making robes.

4.5Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

4.6.0Fourth preliminary ruling

4.6.1“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.4.7Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes.’”

4.8Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

5.0Fifth substory

5.1PTS 4.73Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū manussehi saddhiṁ addhānaṁ gacchanti.Soon afterwards some monks went traveling with a group of people.5.2Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—The monks said to those people,5.3“muhuttaṁ, āvuso, āgametha; piṇḍāya carissāmā”ti.“Please wait a moment while we walk for alms.”5.4Te evamāhaṁsu—They replied,5.5“idheva, bhante, bhuñjathā”ti.“Venerables, please eat right here.”5.6Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā na paṭiggaṇhanti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.5.7Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…They told the Buddha. …

5.8anujānāmi, bhikkhave, addhānagamanasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when you’re traveling.

5.9Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

5.10.0Fifth preliminary ruling

5.10.1“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.5.11Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling.’”

5.12Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

6.0Sixth substory

6.1Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū manussehi saddhiṁ nāvāya gacchanti.Soon afterwards some monks were traveling by boat with a group of people.6.2Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—“muhuttaṁ, āvuso, tīraṁ upanetha; piṇḍāya carissāmā”ti.The monks said to those people, “Please go to the shore for a moment while we walk for alms.”6.3Te evamāhaṁsu—“idheva, bhante, bhuñjathā”ti.They replied, “Venerables, please eat right here.”6.4Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā na paṭiggaṇhanti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.6.5Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…They told the Buddha. …

6.6anujānāmi, bhikkhave, nāvābhiruhanasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when on board a boat.

6.7Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

6.8.0Sixth preliminary ruling

6.8.1“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.6.9Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat.’”

6.10Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

7.0Seventh substory

7.1Tena kho pana samayena disāsu vassaṁvuṭṭhā bhikkhū rājagahaṁ āgacchanti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya.Soon afterwards monks who had completed the rainy-season residence in various regions were coming to Rājagaha to visit the Buddha.7.2Manussā nānāverajjake bhikkhū passitvā bhattena nimantenti.People saw those monks who had come from various countries and invited them for a meal.7.3Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.7.4Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…They told the Buddha. …

7.5anujānāmi, bhikkhave, mahāsamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group on big occasions.

7.6Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

7.7.0Seventh preliminary ruling

7.7.1“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.7.8Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo, mahāsamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat; it is a big occasion.’”

7.9Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

8.0Eighth substory

8.1PTS 4.74Tena kho pana samayena rañño māgadhassa seniyassa bimbisārassa ñātisālohito ājīvakesu pabbajito hoti. Atha kho so ājīvako yena rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ māgadhaṁ seniyaṁ bimbisāraṁ etadavoca—“icchāmahaṁ, mahārāja, sabbapāsaṇḍikabhattaṁ kātun”ti.Soon afterwards a relative of King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha who had gone forth with the Ājīvaka ascetics went to the king and said, “Great king, I wish to make a meal for the monastics of all religions.”

8.2“Sace tvaṁ, bhante, buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyāsi”.“That’s fine, sir, if you first feed the Sangha of monks headed by the Buddha.”

8.3“Evaṁ kareyyāmī”ti.“I’ll do that.”

8.4Atha kho so ājīvako bhikkhūnaṁ santike dūtaṁ pāhesi—“adhivāsentu me bhikkhū svātanāya bhattan”ti.And he sent a message to the monks: “Please accept a meal from me tomorrow.”8.5Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.8.6Atha kho so ājīvako yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho so ājīvako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca—That Ājīvaka ascetic then went to the Buddha, exchanged pleasantries with him, and said,8.7“bhavampi gotamo pabbajito, ahampi pabbajito;“Good Gotama has gone forth and so have I.8.8arahati pabbajito pabbajitassa piṇḍaṁ paṭiggahetuṁ.One who has gone forth should receive alms from another who has gone forth.8.9Adhivāsetu me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti.Good Gotama, please accept a meal from me tomorrow together with the Sangha of monks.”8.10Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena.The Buddha consented by remaining silent.8.11Atha kho so ājīvako bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā pakkāmi.The Ājīvaka understood that the Buddha had consented, and he left.

8.12Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

8.13“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, samaṇabhattasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when the meal is given by a monastic.

8.14Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: