[85] Then the Blessed One, having stayed at Bhaddiya as long as he wished, without taking leave of Meṇḍaka the householder, set out on a journey toward Aṅguttarāpa together with a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus, with twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus. Meṇḍaka the householder heard: "It is said that the Blessed One has set out on a journey toward Aṅguttarāpa together with a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus, with twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus." Then Meṇḍaka the householder commanded his slaves and workmen: "In that case, my men, load a great quantity of salt, oil, husked rice, and edibles onto carts and come; and let twelve hundred and fifty cowherds come, bringing twelve hundred and fifty milch cows. Wherever we see the Blessed One, there we shall serve him with milk still warm from the milking."
Then Meṇḍaka the householder came upon the Blessed One along the road in the wilderness. Then Meṇḍaka the householder approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, Meṇḍaka the householder said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, may the Blessed One consent to accept tomorrow's meal from me, together with the Saṅgha of bhikkhus." The Blessed One consented by silence. Then Meṇḍaka the householder, having understood the Blessed One's consent, rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping his right side toward him, and departed. Then Meṇḍaka the householder, when that night had passed, had excellent hard and soft food prepared, and had the time announced to the Blessed One: "It is time, venerable sir; the meal is ready."
Then the Blessed One, in the morning, having dressed and taken his bowl and robe, approached the place where Meṇḍaka the householder's meal was served; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat together with the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Then Meṇḍaka the householder commanded the twelve hundred and fifty cowherds: "In that case, my men, each of you take a milch cow and attend upon each bhikkhu, one to each; we shall serve them with milk still warm from the milking." Then Meṇḍaka the householder with his own hand served and satisfied the Saṅgha of bhikkhus headed by the Buddha with excellent hard and soft food and with milk still warm from the milking. The bhikkhus, being scrupulous, did not accept the milk. "Accept it, bhikkhus, and consume it."
Then Meṇḍaka the householder, having with his own hand served and satisfied the Saṅgha of bhikkhus headed by the Buddha with excellent hard and soft food and with milk still warm from the milking, when the Blessed One had finished eating and had withdrawn his hand from the bowl, sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Meṇḍaka the householder said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, there are roads through the wilderness, scarce in water, scarce in food, not easy to travel without provisions. It would be well, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would allow provisions for the bhikkhus."
Then the Blessed One, having instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened Meṇḍaka the householder with a talk on the Dhamma, rose from his seat and departed. Then the Blessed One, on this occasion, in this connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow the five products of the cow: milk, curds, buttermilk, fresh butter, and ghee.
"Bhikkhus, there are roads through the wilderness, scarce in water, scarce in food, not easy to travel without provisions. Bhikkhus, I allow you to seek provisions: husked rice for one who needs husked rice, green gram for one who needs green gram, beans for one who needs beans, salt for one who needs salt, sugar for one who needs sugar, oil for one who needs oil, ghee for one who needs ghee.
"Bhikkhus, there are people of faith and confidence who deposit gold and silver in the hands of stewards (kappiyakāraka), saying: 'With this, give the master whatever is allowable.' Bhikkhus, I allow you to consent to whatever is allowable therefrom; but, bhikkhus, in no way whatsoever do I say that gold and silver may be consented to or sought."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.