[227] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Now at that time a number of bhikkhus who were acquaintances and close companions had entered upon the rains residence on the bank of the river Vaggumudā. And at that time the Vajjī country was short of food, survival there was difficult, the crops were blighted white, food was issued by ticket, and it was not easy to keep going by gleaning with the alms-bowl held out. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "At present the Vajjī country is short of food, survival is difficult, the crops are blighted white, food is issued by ticket, and it is not easy to keep going by gleaning with the alms-bowl held out. By what means might we, united, in mutual concord, without disputing, spend the rains comfortably and not be troubled for almsfood?"
Some spoke thus: "Come, friends, let us manage work for the householders; then they will think to give to us. Thus we shall, united, in mutual concord, without disputing, spend the rains comfortably and shall not be troubled for almsfood."
Some spoke thus: "Enough, friends! What is the use of managing work for householders? Come, friends, let us carry messages for the householders; then they will think to give to us. Thus we shall, united, in mutual concord, without disputing, spend the rains comfortably and shall not be troubled for almsfood."
Some spoke thus: "Enough, friends! What is the use of managing work for householders? What is the use of carrying messages for householders? Come, friends, let us speak to the householders in praise of one another's superhuman states (uttarimanussadhamma): 'Such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the first jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the second jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the third jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the fourth jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a stream-enterer; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a once-returner; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a non-returner; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an arahant; such-and-such a bhikkhu possesses the three true knowledges; such-and-such a bhikkhu possesses the six direct knowledges.' Then they will think to give to us. Thus we shall, united, in mutual concord, without disputing, spend the rains comfortably and shall not be troubled for almsfood. Just this, friends, is better: that we speak to the householders in praise of one another's superhuman states."
Then those bhikkhus spoke to the householders in praise of one another's superhuman states: "Such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the first jhāna … such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the fourth jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a stream-enterer … such-and-such a bhikkhu possesses the six direct knowledges."
Then those people [thought]: "It is a gain for us, it is well gained by us, that such bhikkhus have entered the rains among us! Never before have such bhikkhus entered the rains among us as these bhikkhus, who are virtuous and of good character." They did not themselves eat such foods as they gave to the bhikkhus, nor give them to mother and father, nor to wife and children, nor to slaves, workers, and servants, nor to friends and colleagues, nor to relatives and kin. They did not themselves eat such hard foods as they gave to the bhikkhus, nor give them to mother and father … nor to relatives and kin. They did not themselves taste such delicacies as they gave to the bhikkhus, nor give them to mother and father … nor to relatives and kin. They did not themselves drink such drinks as they gave to the bhikkhus, nor give them to mother and father, nor to wife and children, nor to slaves, workers, and servants, nor to friends and colleagues, nor to relatives and kin.
Then those bhikkhus became fine-looking, with plump faculties, bright facial complexion, and clear skin. Now it was the custom for bhikkhus who had completed the rains to approach to see the Blessed One. So those bhikkhus, having completed the rains, at the end of the three months, set their lodgings in order, took their bowls and robes, and departed for Vesālī. Wandering on tour by stages, they came to Vesālī, to the Great Wood, to the Hall with the Peaked Roof, and approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they sat down to one side.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.