[228] Now at that time the bhikkhus who had spent the rains in the various regions were thin, wretched, of poor complexion, sallow, their bodies overspread with veins. But the bhikkhus of the banks of the Vaggumudā River were of good complexion, with buoyant faculties, with bright facial complexion, with clear skin. Now it is the custom of Buddhas, Blessed Ones, to exchange friendly greetings with incoming bhikkhus. Then the Blessed One said this to the bhikkhus of the banks of the Vaggumudā: "Bhikkhus, is it bearable? Is it sustainable? Did you spend the rains in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, comfortably, and did you not go short of almsfood?"
"It is bearable, Blessed One; it is sustainable, Blessed One. And we, venerable sir, spent the rains in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, comfortably, and we did not go short of almsfood."
Knowing, the Tathāgatas ask; knowing, they do not ask. Knowing the time, they ask; knowing the time, they do not ask. The Tathāgatas ask what is connected with benefit, not what is unconnected with benefit; with regard to what is unconnected with benefit, the Tathāgatas have destroyed the bridge (setughāta). For two reasons do the Buddhas, the Blessed Ones, question bhikkhus: [thinking,] "We shall teach the Dhamma," or "We shall lay down a training rule (sikkhāpada) for the disciples."
Then the Blessed One said this to the bhikkhus of the banks of the Vaggumudā: "But in what way, bhikkhus, did you spend the rains in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, comfortably, and not go short of almsfood?"
Then those bhikkhus informed the Blessed One of that matter.
"But, bhikkhus, was it real?"
"It was not real, Blessed One."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.