[304] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked gable. Now at that time a number of bhikkhus who were acquainted with one another and were close companions entered upon the rains residence on the bank of the river Vaggumudā. Now at that time the Vajjī country was short of food, stricken by famine, hard to survive in, blighted white, with food doled out by tickets; it was not easy to keep oneself going by gleaning or by favor. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "At present the Vajjī country is short of food, stricken by famine, hard to survive in, blighted white, with food doled out by tickets; it is not easy to keep oneself going by gleaning or by favor. By what means might we dwell in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, spend the rains comfortably, and not be wearied for almsfood?"
Some spoke thus: "Come, friends, let us undertake the management of the householders' work; thus they will think to give to us; thus we shall dwell in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, spend the rains comfortably, and not be wearied for almsfood."
Some spoke thus: "Enough, friends! What is the use of undertaking the management of the householders' work? Come, friends, let us carry messages for the householders; thus they will think to give to us; thus we shall dwell in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, spend the rains comfortably, and not be wearied for almsfood."
Some spoke thus: "Enough, friends! What is the use of undertaking the management of the householders' work? What is the use of carrying messages for the householders? Come, friends, let us speak to the householders in praise of one another's superhuman states (uttarimanussadhamma): 'Such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the first jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the second jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the third jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the fourth jhāna; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a stream-enterer; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a once-returner; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a non-returner; such-and-such a bhikkhu is an arahant; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a possessor of the three true knowledges; such-and-such a bhikkhu is a possessor of the six direct knowledges.' Thus they will think to give to us; thus we shall dwell in concord, in mutual gladness, without dispute, spend the rains comfortably, and not be wearied for almsfood. This alone, friends, is the better course: that we speak to the householders in praise of one another's superhuman states."
Then those bhikkhus spoke to the householders in praise of one another's superhuman states: "Such-and-such a bhikkhu is an obtainer of the first jhāna … such-and-such a bhikkhu is a possessor of the six direct knowledges."
Then those people thought: "It is a gain for us, it is well gained by us indeed, that such bhikkhus as these have entered upon the rains among us! Never before have such bhikkhus entered upon the rains among us as these bhikkhus, virtuous and of excellent character." And such foods as they gave to the bhikkhus, they did not eat themselves, did not give to their mothers and fathers, did not give to their sons and wives, did not give to their slaves, workmen, and servants, did not give to their friends and companions, did not give to their kinsmen and blood relations; and such solid foods, delicacies, and drinks as they gave to the bhikkhus, they did not drink themselves, did not give to their mothers and fathers, did not give to their sons and wives, did not give to their slaves, workmen, and servants, did not give to their friends and companions, did not give to their kinsmen and blood relations. Then those bhikkhus became fair of complexion, with rounded features, with bright countenances, with clear and radiant skin.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.