[427] Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who lives on alms-food, thinking, "I shall now enter the village," should put on his lower robe so as to cover the three circles, wearing it evenly all around; he should bind the waistband, arrange the outer robes (saṅghāṭī) folded double and put them on, fasten the fastening-block, wash the bowl, and, taking it, enter the village carefully and without hurrying. He should go among the houses well covered; he should go among the houses well restrained; he should go among the houses with eyes downcast; he should not go among the houses with robes hitched up; he should not go among the houses laughing loudly; he should go among the houses with little noise; he should not go among the houses swaying the body; he should not go among the houses swinging the arms; he should not go among the houses wagging the head; he should not go among the houses with arms akimbo; he should not go among the houses with the head covered; he should not go among the houses walking in a crouching manner. When entering a dwelling, he should take note: "I shall enter by this way; I shall go out by this way." He should not enter too hastily, nor go out too hastily; he should not stand too far away, nor stand too near; he should not stand too long, nor turn back too quickly. Standing there, he should take note whether they wish to give alms or do not wish to give. If she lays aside her work, or rises from her seat, or handles the ladle, or handles a vessel, or sets one out, he should stand, thinking, "It seems she wishes to give." When alms are being given, he should lift up the saṅghāṭi with the left hand, hold out the bowl with the right hand, and receive the alms holding the bowl with both hands; and he should not look at the face of the giver of the alms. He should take note whether she wishes to give curry or does not wish to give. If she handles the ladle, or handles a vessel, or sets one out, he should stand, thinking, "It seems she wishes to give." When the alms have been given, he should cover the bowl with the saṅghāṭi and turn back carefully and without hurrying. He should go among the houses well covered; he should go among the houses well restrained; he should go among the houses with eyes downcast; he should not go among the houses with robes hitched up; he should not go among the houses laughing loudly; he should go among the houses with little noise; he should not go among the houses swaying the body; he should not go among the houses swinging the arms; he should not go among the houses wagging the head; he should not go among the houses with arms akimbo; he should not go among the houses with the head covered; he should not go among the houses walking in a crouching manner. Whoever returns first from the village from the alms-round should prepare a seat; he should set out water for the feet, a footstool, and a foot-scraper; he should wash the refuse-bowl and set it in place; he should set out drinking water and water for washing. Whoever returns afterwards from the village from the alms-round, if there is food left over from the meal and if he wishes, may eat it; if he does not wish, he should throw it away where there are no green crops, or sink it in water that is free of living creatures. He should put away the seat; he should put away the water for the feet, the footstool, and the foot-scraper; he should wash the refuse-bowl and put it away; he should put away the drinking water and the water for washing; he should sweep the refectory. Whoever sees a drinking-water pot, a washing-water pot, or a pot of water for the privy void and empty should set it in place (refilled). If it is beyond his strength, he should summon a companion by a gesture of the hand, and they should set it in place by joining hands together; but he should not break into speech on that account.
This, bhikkhus, is the observance (vatta) for bhikkhus who live on alms-food, according to which bhikkhus who live on alms-food should conduct themselves properly.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.