[543] And when the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta had been appointed, he assigned lodgings in the same place for bhikkhus of like character with those of like character. For those bhikkhus who were masters of the discourses (suttantikā), he assigned lodging together, thinking: "They will rehearse the discourses with one another." For those bhikkhus who were upholders of the discipline (vinayadharā), he assigned lodging together, thinking: "They will decide questions of the Vinaya with one another." For those bhikkhus who were masters of the Abhidhamma (ābhidhammikā), he assigned lodging together, thinking: "They will discuss the Abhidhamma with one another." For those bhikkhus who were meditators (jhāyino), he assigned lodging together, thinking: "They will not disturb one another." For those bhikkhus who indulged in animal talk (tiracchānakathā) and dwelt much given to strengthening the body, he assigned lodging together also, thinking: "These venerable ones will abide by means of this delight of theirs." And for those bhikkhus who arrived at the wrong time, he attained the fire element (tejodhātu) and by that very light assigned them lodging.
Indeed, bhikkhus would deliberately arrive at the wrong time, thinking: "We shall see the marvel of psychic power (iddhipāṭihāriya) of the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta." Having approached the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, they would say: "Friend Dabba, assign us lodging." The venerable Dabba the Mallaputta would say to them: "Where do the venerable ones wish it? Where shall I assign it?" They would deliberately name distant places: "Friend Dabba, assign us lodging on Mount Gijjhakūṭa. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging at the Robbers' Precipice (Corapapāta). Friend Dabba, assign us lodging at the Black Rock on the slope of Isigili. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging in the Sattapaṇṇa Cave on the slope of Vebhāra. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging at the Sappasoṇḍika Grotto in the Cool Grove (Sītavana). Friend Dabba, assign us lodging in the Gomaṭa Glen. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging in the Tinduka Glen. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging in the Kapota Glen. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging at the Tapodā Park. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging in Jīvaka's Mango Grove. Friend Dabba, assign us lodging at Maddakucchi in the Deer Park."
For them the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, having attained the fire element, would go on ahead with his finger blazing, and they, by that very light, would follow behind the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta. The venerable Dabba the Mallaputta would assign them lodging thus: "This is the bed, this the bench, this the mattress, this the pillow; this is the place for defecation, this the place for urination; this is the drinking water, this the water for general use; this is the walking staff; this is the Saṅgha's agreed convention: at this time one should enter, at this time one should depart." Having thus assigned them lodging, the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta would return again to the Veḷuvana.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.