[519] Then the Venerable Ānanda, having wandered on tour in Dakkhiṇāgiri for as long as he wished, went back to Rājagaha, to the Bamboo Grove (Veḷuvana), the Squirrels' Feeding Ground (Kalandakanivāpa), and approached the Venerable Mahākassapa. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahākassapa and sat down to one side. As the Venerable Ānanda was sitting to one side, the Venerable Mahākassapa said this to him: "Friend Ānanda, on account of how many reasons did the Blessed One lay down the rule of eating among families in groups of no more than three (tikabhojana)?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.