[522] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Now at that time a certain bhikkhu who used only discarded things for all his requisites (sabbapaṃsukūlika) was dwelling in a charnel ground. He did not wish to accept what was being given by people. Taking for himself the offerings set out for the departed (ayyavosāṭitaka) — in the charnel ground, at the foot of trees, and on thresholds — he ate them. People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can this bhikkhu take for himself our offerings set out for the departed and eat them? This elder bhikkhu is burly — he must be eating human flesh!"
Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … they complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can a bhikkhu convey to the door of his mouth food that has not been given?" … "Is it true, bhikkhu, that you convey to the door of your mouth food that has not been given?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How can you, foolish man, convey to the door of your mouth food that has not been given? This, foolish man, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of confidence in those already confident …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): 'Whatever bhikkhu should convey to the door of his mouth food that has not been given, there is an offence of expiation (pācittiya).'"
And thus was this training rule laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.