Chulavagga 5.26

Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Khandhaka >> Chulavagga >> Fifth Khandaka >> 5.26

Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR SECTION)

FIFTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE DAILY LIFE OF THE BHIKKHUS)

Chapter-26.

1. Now at that time a certain multitude had

arranged for the privilege of supplying food to the Sangha, and in the dining-hall many fragments of rice were allowed to fall.

The people murmured, were annoyed, and were indignant, saying, 'How can the Sakya-puttiya Samanas(monks), when food is being given to them, take it so carelessly. Each single ball of rice is the result of hundredfold labour!'

The Bhikkhus heard of the people thus murmuring, &c., and they told the matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, whatever thing falls when it is being given to you, yourselves to pick it up and eat it. That has been presented, O Bhikkhus, by the givers.'