[477] Now at that time, at the season for giving robes, people prepared a meal together with robes and invited bhikkhus, [thinking:] "Having fed them, we shall clothe them with a robe." The bhikkhus, being scrupulous, did not consent, [saying:] "A group meal (gaṇabhojana) has been prohibited by the Blessed One." Only a little robe-material accrued. They informed the Blessed One of this matter. "Bhikkhus, I allow a group meal to be eaten at the season for giving robes. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"In the case of a group meal, except on an occasion, there is an offence of expiation (pācittiya). Herein this is the occasion: an occasion of illness, an occasion of giving robes — this is the occasion herein."
And thus this training rule came to be laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.