[224] When those bhikkhus were unable to convince the bhikkhus who were followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka, they approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Blessed One: "Here, venerable sir, we approached the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka; having approached, we said this to the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka: 'Friends, the Blessed One eats abstaining from meals at night, and so does the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Eating abstaining from meals at night, friends, they perceive little affliction, little illness, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding. Come, friends, you too eat abstaining from meals at night. Eating abstaining from meals at night, friends, you too will perceive little affliction, little illness, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding.' When this was said, venerable sir, the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka said this to us: 'Friends, we eat in the evening, in the morning, and by day at the wrong time. Eating in the evening, in the morning, and by day at the wrong time, we perceive little affliction, little illness, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding. Why should we abandon what is visible here and now (sandiṭṭhika) and run after what takes time (kālika)? We shall eat in the evening, in the morning, and by day at the wrong time.' Since, venerable sir, we were unable to convince the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka, we report this matter to the Blessed One."
Then the Blessed One addressed a certain bhikkhu: "Come, bhikkhu; in my name address the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka thus: 'The Teacher summons the venerable ones.'" "Yes, venerable sir," that bhikkhu replied to the Blessed One, and he approached the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka; having approached, he said this to the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka: "The Teacher summons the venerable ones." "Yes, friend," the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka replied to that bhikkhu, and they approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they sat down to one side. To the bhikkhus who are followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka, seated to one side, the Blessed One said this: "Is it true, bhikkhus, that many bhikkhus approached you and said: 'Friends, the Blessed One eats abstaining from meals at night, and so does the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Eating abstaining from meals at night, friends, they perceive little affliction, little illness, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding. Come, friends, you too eat abstaining from meals at night. Eating abstaining from meals at night, friends, you too will perceive little affliction, little illness, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding'? And when this was said, bhikkhus, is it true that you said this to those bhikkhus: 'Friends, we eat in the evening, in the morning, and by day at the wrong time. Eating in the evening, in the morning, and by day at the wrong time, we perceive little affliction, little illness, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding. Why should we abandon what is visible here and now and run after what takes time? We shall eat in the evening, in the morning, and by day at the wrong time'?"
"So it is, venerable sir."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.