[482] Now at that time a blood relative of King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha had gone forth among the Ājīvakas.¹ Then that Ājīvaka approached King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha; having approached, he said this to King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha: "Great king, I wish to prepare a meal for members of all sects (sabbapāsaṇḍika)." "Venerable sir, if you would first feed the Saṅgha of bhikkhus headed by the Buddha, then I would do so."
Then that Ājīvaka sent a messenger into the presence of the bhikkhus: "May the bhikkhus consent to a meal from me for tomorrow." The bhikkhus, being scrupulous, did not consent, saying: "A group meal (gaṇabhojana) has been prohibited by the Blessed One."
Then that Ājīvaka approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, that Ājīvaka said this to the Blessed One: "The honorable Gotama has gone forth, and I too have gone forth. One gone forth is worthy to receive almsfood from one gone forth. May the honorable Gotama consent to a meal from me for tomorrow, together with the Saṅgha of bhikkhus." The Blessed One consented by silence. Then that Ājīvaka, having understood the Blessed One's consent, departed.
Then the Blessed One, on that account, in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow a group meal to be eaten on an occasion of a meal given by ascetics. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"In a group meal, except on an occasion, there is an offence of pācittiya. This is the occasion here: a time of illness, a time of giving robes, a time of making robes, a time of going on a journey, a time of embarking on a boat, a great occasion, a time of a meal given by ascetics — this is the occasion here."
¹ [Editorial footnote in the Siam Raṭṭha edition: the Burmese edition reads *nāvābhiruhaṇasamaye*; so too below.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.