[593] And the venerable Dabba Mallaputta, having been so appointed, assigned lodgings in one place for bhikkhus of like character with those of like character. For those bhikkhus who were experts in the Suttantas he assigned lodgings in one place, thinking, "They will rehearse the Suttantas with one another." For those bhikkhus who were upholders of the Vinaya he assigned lodgings in one place, thinking, "They will decide questions of the Vinaya with one another." For those bhikkhus who were speakers on the Dhamma he assigned lodgings in one place, thinking, "They will discuss the Dhamma with one another." For those bhikkhus who were meditators he assigned lodgings in one place, thinking, "They will not disturb one another." For those bhikkhus who were given to worldly talk and who lived much occupied with tending the body, he assigned lodgings in one place too, thinking, "These venerable ones will abide content even with this delight." And for those bhikkhus who arrived at the wrong time, he attained the fire element (tejodhātu) and by that very light assigned them lodgings.
Indeed, bhikkhus even came at the wrong time deliberately, thinking, "We shall see the marvel of psychic power (iddhipāṭihāriya) of the venerable Dabba Mallaputta." Having approached the venerable Dabba Mallaputta, they spoke thus: "Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings." The venerable Dabba Mallaputta spoke thus to them: "Where do the venerable ones wish it? Where shall I assign them?" They deliberately named distant places: "Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings on Mount Gijjhakūṭa. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Robbers' Cliff (Corapapāta). Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Black Rock (Kāḷasilā) on the slope of Isigili. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Sattapaṇṇa Cave on the slope of Vebhāra. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Sappasoṇḍika Grotto in the Sīta Wood. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Gomaṭa Ravine. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Tiṇḍuka Ravine. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Kapota Ravine. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings at the Tapodārāma. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings in Jīvaka's Mango Grove. Friend Dabba, assign us lodgings in the Deer Park at Maddakucchi."
Then the venerable Dabba Mallaputta, having attained the fire element, went before them with his finger blazing, and they by that very light followed behind the venerable Dabba Mallaputta. The venerable Dabba Mallaputta assigned them lodgings thus: "This is the bed, this the bench, this the mattress, this the pillow; this is the place for defecation, this the place for urination; this is the drinking water, this the water for washing; this is the walking staff; this is the Saṅgha's agreed regulation — at this time one should enter, at this time one should depart." Having thus assigned them lodgings, the venerable Dabba Mallaputta returned again to the Veḷuvana.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.