[476] Now at that time, people invited sick bhikkhus to a meal. The bhikkhus, being scrupulous, did not accept, saying: "A group meal (gaṇabhojana) has been prohibited by the Blessed One." They reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, on that account, in that connection, having given a Dhamma talk, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow a sick bhikkhu to eat a group meal. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"In a group meal, except at a proper occasion, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya). Herein, this is the occasion: an occasion of illness — this is the occasion here."
And thus this training rule was laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.