[305] Now, it is the custom for bhikkhus who have completed the rains to approach to see the Blessed One. Then those bhikkhus, having completed the rains, when the three months had passed, put their lodgings in order and, taking their bowls and robes, went toward Vesālī. Traveling in stages, they arrived at Vesālī, at the Great Wood, at the Hall with the Peaked Roof, and approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they sat down to one side.
Now at that time the bhikkhus who had spent the rains in the various quarters were thin, wretched, of poor complexion, grown sallow, their limbs overspread with veins. But the bhikkhus of the banks of the river Vaggumudā were of good complexion, with fresh features, bright faces, and clear, radiant skin.
Now, it is the custom for the Buddhas, the Blessed Ones, to exchange friendly greetings with incoming bhikkhus. Then the Blessed One said this to the bhikkhus of the Vaggumudā riverbank: "We hope, bhikkhus, that you are bearing up; we hope that you are getting by; we hope that you spent the rains comfortably, in concord, cordial, without dispute, and that you did not have difficulty with alms-food."
"We are bearing up, Blessed One; we are getting by, Blessed One; and, venerable sir, we spent the rains comfortably, in concord, cordial, without dispute, and we did not have difficulty with alms-food."
Tathāgatas sometimes ask though they know, and though they know sometimes do not ask; knowing the proper time, they ask, and knowing the proper time, they do not ask. Tathāgatas ask about what is connected with benefit, not about what is unconnected with benefit; regarding what is unconnected with benefit, the bridge is destroyed for the Tathāgatas. Buddhas, Blessed Ones, question bhikkhus on two grounds: "We shall teach the Dhamma," or "We shall lay down a training rule for the disciples."
Then the Blessed One said this to the bhikkhus of the Vaggumudā riverbank: "But in what way, bhikkhus, did you spend the rains comfortably, in concord, cordial, without dispute, and not have difficulty with alms-food?" Then those bhikkhus reported the matter to the Blessed One.
"But, bhikkhus, was it factual?"
"It was factual, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How, bhikkhus, could you, for the sake of your bellies, speak praise of one another's superhuman states (uttarimanussadhamma) to householders? This, bhikkhus, is not for the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule: Whatever bhikkhu should announce a superhuman state to one not fully ordained (anupasampanna), when it is factual, there is an offense entailing expiation (pācittiya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.