[45] Now at that time the Venerable Pilindavaccha was having a mountain overhang cleared at Rājagaha, wishing to make a cave dwelling. Then Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, approached the Venerable Pilindavaccha; having approached and paid homage to the Venerable Pilindavaccha, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, said this to the Venerable Pilindavaccha: "Venerable sir, what is the elder having done?"
"Great king, I am having a mountain overhang cleared, wishing to make a cave dwelling."
"Venerable sir, does the noble one have need of a monastery attendant (ārāmika)?"
"Great king, a monastery attendant has not been allowed by the Blessed One."
"Then, venerable sir, having asked the Blessed One, you should inform me."
"So be it, great king," the Venerable Pilindavaccha replied to Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha. Then the Venerable Pilindavaccha instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, with a talk on the Dhamma. Then Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, having been instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened by the Venerable Pilindavaccha with a talk on the Dhamma, rose from his seat, paid homage to the Venerable Pilindavaccha, circumambulated him keeping his right side toward him, and departed.
Then the Venerable Pilindavaccha sent a messenger to the presence of the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, wishes to give a monastery attendant. How, venerable sir, should one proceed?" Then the Blessed One, on that occasion and in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow a monastery attendant."
A second time Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, approached the Venerable Pilindavaccha; having approached and paid homage to the Venerable Pilindavaccha, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, said this to the Venerable Pilindavaccha: "Venerable sir, has a monastery attendant been allowed by the Blessed One?"
"Yes, great king."
"Then, venerable sir, I give the noble one a monastery attendant."
Then Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, having promised a monastery attendant to the Venerable Pilindavaccha, forgot; and having recollected it after a long time, he addressed a certain chief minister in charge of all affairs: "My man, that monastery attendant whom I promised to the noble one — has that attendant been given?"
"No, sire, an attendant has not been given to the noble one."
"How long, my man, has it been in nights since then?"
Then that chief minister, having counted the nights, said this to Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha: "Five hundred nights, sire."
"Then, my man, give the noble one five hundred monastery attendants."
"So be it, sire," that chief minister replied to Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, and gave the Venerable Pilindavaccha five hundred monastery attendants. A separate village was established for them. They called it "the Monastery Attendants' Village" and they also called it "Pilindavaccha Village."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.