[481] Now at that time bhikkhus who had completed the rains residence in the various regions came to Rājagaha to see the Blessed One. People, seeing the bhikkhus who had come from various districts, invited them 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. "Bhikkhus, I allow a group meal to be eaten on an occasion of a great gathering. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"In a group meal, except on an occasion, there is an offense of pācittiya. Herein, this is the occasion: an occasion of illness, an occasion of giving robes, an occasion of making robes, an occasion of going on a journey, an occasion of embarking on a boat, an occasion of a great gathering — 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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.