[548] Now at that time, a family that supported the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan sent chewable food (khādanīya) for the Saṅgha, saying: "It is to be shown to master Upananda and then given to the Saṅgha." Now at that time the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan had entered the village for alms. Then those people, having gone to the monastery, asked the bhikkhus: "Venerable sirs, where is master Upananda?"
"Friends, the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan has entered the village for alms."
"Venerable sirs, this chewable food is to be shown to master Upananda and then given to the Saṅgha."
They reported this matter to the Blessed One.¹ "Well then, bhikkhus, receive it and set it aside until Upananda comes."
Then the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan, thinking, "It has been forbidden by the Blessed One to engage in visiting families before the meal," attended upon families after the meal and returned during the day. The chewable food was sent back.
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … took offense, criticized, and spread it about: "How can the Venerable Upananda the Sakyan engage in visiting families after the meal?" …
"Is it true, as they say, Upananda, that you engage in visiting families after the meal?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How can you, foolish man, engage in visiting families after the meal? 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, being invited and provided with a meal, should engage in visiting families either before the meal or after the meal, commits an offense of pācittiya.'"
And thus was this training rule laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
¹ [Siam Raṭṭha editorial note: After this point, the reading "Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk in this connection, addressed the bhikkhus" appears in all books; it should be examined.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.