Chapter 26

26.

1. Now at that time a certain multitude had

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arranged for the privilege of supplying food to the Samgha, and in the dining-hall many fragments of rice were allowed to fall.

The people murmured, were annoyed, and were indignant, saying, 'How can the Sakya-puttiya Samanas, when food is being given to them, take it so carelessly. Each single ball of rice is the result of hundredfold labour!'

The Bhikkhus heard of the people thus murmuring, &c., and they told the matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, whatever thing falls when it is being given to you, yourselves to pick it up and eat it. That has been presented, O Bhikkhus, by the givers.'