[740] Now at that time Anāthapiṇḍika the householder had a work-village (kammantagāma) in the Kāsī country. And that householder had instructed a resident agent (antevāsī): "If the venerable ones come, you should prepare a meal." Now at that time several bhikkhus, walking on tour in the Kāsī country, approached the work-village of Anāthapiṇḍika the householder. That man saw those bhikkhus coming while still far off; having seen them, he approached those bhikkhus, and having approached and paid respects to those bhikkhus, he said this: "Venerable sirs, may the masters consent to the householder's meal for tomorrow." Those bhikkhus consented by remaining silent.
Then that man, when that night had passed, having had choice hard and soft food prepared and having had the time announced, took off his finger-ring, served those bhikkhus with the meal, and saying, "Let the masters eat and then go; I too shall go to the work," he departed, forgetting the finger-ring.
The bhikkhus, seeing it, [thinking,] "If we go, this finger-ring will be lost," remained right there.
Then that man, returning from the work, saw those bhikkhus and said this: "Venerable sirs, why do the masters remain right here?" Then those bhikkhus, having informed that man of this matter, went to Sāvatthī and informed the bhikkhus of this matter. The bhikkhus informed the Blessed One of this matter.
Then the Blessed One, on account of that occasion, in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow that a treasure (ratana), or what is considered a treasure, within a monastery precinct or within a dwelling, be picked up or caused to be picked up and put aside, [thinking,] 'Whoever it belongs to will take it.'
"And thus, bhikkhus, should you recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Should any bhikkhu pick up, or cause to be picked up, a treasure or what is considered a treasure, except within a monastery precinct or within a dwelling, there is an offense of pācittiya. But when a treasure, or what is considered a treasure, within a monastery precinct or within a dwelling, has been picked up or caused to be picked up by a bhikkhu, it should be put aside, [thinking,] 'Whoever it belongs to will take it.' This is the proper procedure (sāmīci) in that case."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.