[637] "One time, friends (āvuso), the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the Veḷuvana, at the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now on that occasion, among those seated and assembled in the royal retinue within the king's inner palace, this conversation arose in their midst: 'Gold and silver are allowable for the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, consent to gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, accept gold and silver.'
"Now on that occasion, friends, the headman Maṇicūḷaka was seated in that assembly. Then, friends, the headman Maṇicūḷaka said to that assembly: 'Do not speak thus, sirs. Gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, do not consent to gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, do not accept gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, have laid aside gems and gold; they are without gold and silver.' And, friends, the headman Maṇicūḷaka was able to convince that assembly.
"Then, friends, the headman Maṇicūḷaka, having convinced that assembly, approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, friends, the headman Maṇicūḷaka said this to the Blessed One: 'Here, venerable sir, among those seated and assembled in the royal retinue within the king's inner palace, this conversation arose in their midst: "Gold and silver are allowable for the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, consent to gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, accept gold and silver." When this was said, venerable sir, I said to that assembly: "Do not speak thus, sirs. Gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, do not consent to gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, do not accept gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, have laid aside gems and gold; they are without gold and silver." And I was able, venerable sir, to convince that assembly. I trust, venerable sir, that in answering thus I speak in accordance with what the Blessed One has said, that I do not misrepresent the Blessed One with what is untrue, that I answer in conformity with the Dhamma, and that no legitimate consequence of my assertion gives ground for criticism?'
"'Certainly, headman, in answering thus you speak in accordance with what I have said; you do not misrepresent me with what is untrue; you answer in conformity with the Dhamma, and no legitimate consequence of your assertion gives ground for criticism. For indeed, headman, gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, do not consent to gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, do not accept gold and silver; the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, have laid aside gems and gold; they are without gold and silver. Headman, for whomever gold and silver are allowable, for him the five cords of sensual pleasure (kāmaguṇa) are also allowable; and for whomever the five cords of sensual pleasure are allowable, you may hold it as certain, headman, that this is not the way of an ascetic, not the way of a son of the Sakyan. Moreover, headman, I say this: grass may be sought by one in need of grass; wood may be sought by one in need of wood; a cart may be sought by one in need of a cart; a man may be sought by one in need of a man. But I do not say, headman, that by any means whatsoever gold and silver (jātarūparajata) may be consented to or sought.'
"So it seems, then, that I, speaking thus, am abusing and reviling venerable lay followers (upāsaka) who have faith and confidence, and am causing them loss of confidence — I who say of what is not Dhamma, 'It is not Dhamma,' who say of what is Dhamma, 'It is Dhamma,' who say of what is not Vinaya, 'It is not Vinaya,' who say of what is Vinaya, 'It is Vinaya'!"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.