[165] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodhārāma. Then the Blessed One, having dismissed the Saṅgha of bhikkhus on account of a certain matter, in the morning dressed, and taking bowl and robe, entered Kapilavatthu for alms. Having walked for alms in Kapilavatthu, after the meal, on returning from the alms round, he approached the Great Wood for the day's abiding; and having plunged into the Great Wood, he sat down for the day's abiding at the root of a young beluva sapling.
Then, as the Blessed One was alone in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "The Saṅgha of bhikkhus has been dismissed by me. There are here new bhikkhus, not long gone forth, only recently come to this Dhamma and Discipline (dhammavinaya). If they do not see me, there may be alteration in them, there may be change. Just as, when a young calf does not see its mother, there may be alteration in it, there may be change, so too there are here new bhikkhus, not long gone forth, only recently come to this Dhamma and Discipline; if they do not see me, there may be alteration in them, there may be change. Just as, when young seedlings do not obtain water, there may be alteration in them, there may be change, so too there are here new bhikkhus, not long gone forth, only recently come to this Dhamma and Discipline; if they do not get to see me, there may be alteration in them, there may be change. Suppose, then, that I were now to assist the Saṅgha of bhikkhus just as I have assisted the Saṅgha of bhikkhus in the past."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.