Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe. At that time, because of his loss of material support and honor, Devadatta and his followers had to ask families repeatedly to get invited to meals. Tena kho pana samayena devadatto parihīnalābhasakkāro sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjati. People complained and criticized him, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the Sakyan monastics repeatedly ask families to get invited to meals? “kathañhi nāma samaṇā sakyaputtiyā kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti. Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t prefer tasty food?” Kassa sampannaṁ na manāpaṁ, kassa sāduṁ na ruccatī”ti.

The monks heard the complaints of those people, Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can Devadatta and his followers repeatedly ask families to get invited to meals?” … “kathañhi nāma devadatto sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissatī”ti …pe… “Is it true, Devadatta, that you do this?” “saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, devadatta, sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjasī”ti?

“It’s true, sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

The Buddha rebuked him … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “Foolish man, how can you do this? kathañhi nāma tvaṁ, moghapurisa, sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissasi. This will affect people’s confidence …” … Netaṁ, moghapurisa, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

First preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Gaṇabhojane pācittiyan”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards people invited sick monks to a meal. Tena kho pana samayena manussā gilāne bhikkhū bhattena nimantenti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. They told the Buddha. Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ. Soon afterwards he gave a teaching and addressed the monks: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

“Monks, I allow a sick monk to eat in a group. “anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānena bhikkhunā gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Second preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. “Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ. This is the appropriate occasion: he is sick.’” Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Third sub-story

Soon afterwards, during the robe-giving season, people prepared a meal together with robe-cloth and then invited the monks, saying, Tena kho pana samayena manussā cīvaradānasamaye sacīvarabhattaṁ paṭiyādetvā bhikkhū nimantenti—“We wish to offer a meal and then give robe-cloth.” “bhojetvā cīvarena acchādessāmā”ti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. As a result, they only got a small amount of robe-cloth. Cīvaraṁ parittaṁ uppajjati. They told the Buddha. … Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group during the robe-giving season. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvaradānasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Third preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. “Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ. These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season.’” Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Fourth sub-story

Soon afterwards people invited the robe-making monks for a meal. Tena kho pana samayena manussā cīvarakārake bhikkhū bhattena nimantenti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. They told the Buddha. … Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group at a time when you are making robes. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvarakārasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Fourth preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. “Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ. These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes.’” Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Fifth sub-story

Soon afterwards some monks went traveling with a group of people. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū manussehi saddhiṁ addhānaṁ gacchanti. The monks said to those people, Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—“Please wait a moment while we walk for alms.” “muhuttaṁ, āvuso, āgametha; piṇḍāya carissāmā”ti. They replied, Te evamāhaṁsu—“Venerables, please eat right here.” “idheva, bhante, bhuñjathā”ti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā na paṭiggaṇhanti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. They told the Buddha. … Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when you’re traveling. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, addhānagamanasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Fifth preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. “Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ. These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling.’” Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Sixth sub-story

Soon afterwards some monks were traveling by boat with a group of people. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū manussehi saddhiṁ nāvāya gacchanti. The monks said to those people, “Please go to the shore for a moment while we walk for alms.” Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—“muhuttaṁ, āvuso, tīraṁ upanetha; piṇḍāya carissāmā”ti. They replied, “Venerables, please eat right here.” Te evamāhaṁsu—“idheva, bhante, bhuñjathā”ti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā na paṭiggaṇhanti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. They told the Buddha. … Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when on board a boat. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, nāvābhiruhanasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Sixth preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. “Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ. These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat.’” Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Seventh sub-story

Soon afterwards monks who had completed the rainy-season residence in various regions were coming to Rājagaha to visit the Buddha. Tena kho pana samayena disāsu vassaṁvuṭṭhā bhikkhū rājagahaṁ āgacchanti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya. People saw those monks who had come from various countries and invited them for a meal. Manussā nānāverajjake bhikkhū passitvā bhattena nimantenti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. They told the Buddha. … Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group on big occasions. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, mahāsamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Seventh preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. “Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ. These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat; it is a big occasion.’” Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo, mahāsamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Eighth sub-story

Soon afterwards a relative of King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha who had gone forth with the Ājīvaka ascetics went to the king and said, “Great king, I wish to make a meal for the monastics of all religions.” Tena kho pana samayena rañño māgadhassa seniyassa bimbisārassa ñātisālohito ājīvakesu pabbajito hoti. Atha kho so ājīvako yena rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ māgadhaṁ seniyaṁ bimbisāraṁ etadavoca—“icchāmahaṁ, mahārāja, sabbapāsaṇḍikabhattaṁ kātun”ti.

“That’s fine, sir, if you first feed the Sangha of monks headed by the Buddha.” “Sace tvaṁ, bhante, buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyāsi”.

“I’ll do that.” “Evaṁ kareyyāmī”ti.

And he sent a message to the monks: “Please accept a meal from me tomorrow.” Atha kho so ājīvako bhikkhūnaṁ santike dūtaṁ pāhesi—“adhivāsentu me bhikkhū svātanāya bhattan”ti. But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti. That Ājīvaka ascetic then went to the Buddha, exchanged pleasantries with him, and said, Atha kho so ājīvako yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho so ājīvako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca—“Good Gotama has gone forth and so have I. “bhavampi gotamo pabbajito, ahampi pabbajito; One who has gone forth should receive alms from another who has gone forth. arahati pabbajito pabbajitassa piṇḍaṁ paṭiggahetuṁ. Good Gotama, please accept a meal from me tomorrow together with the Sangha of monks.” Adhivāsetu me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti. The Buddha consented by remaining silent. Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena. The Ājīvaka understood that the Buddha had consented, and he left. Atha kho so ājīvako bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā pakkāmi.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when the meal is given by a monastic. “anujānāmi, bhikkhave, samaṇabhattasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—