[128] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodhārāma. Now at that time a certain potter had given an invitation to the bhikkhus: "Whichever venerable ones have need of a bowl — I [shall provide them] with a bowl."
Now at that time the bhikkhus, not knowing moderation, asked for many bowls. Those who had small bowls asked for large bowls; those who had large bowls asked for small bowls. Then that potter, making many bowls for the bhikkhus, was not able to make other goods for sale; he could not maintain even himself, and his wife and children suffered hardship.
People complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, not knowing moderation, ask for many bowls? This man, making many bowls for them, is not able to make other goods for sale; he cannot maintain even himself, and his wife and children suffer hardship."
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … complained, criticized, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhus, not knowing moderation, ask for many bowls?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, bhikkhus, as is said, that bhikkhus, not knowing moderation, ask for many bowls?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, can those foolish men, not knowing moderation, ask for many bowls? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those with confidence …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, a bowl is not to be asked for. Whoever should ask for one commits an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.