Piṇḍapātikasuttaṃ [Ud 3.8, PTS 31]

8.

The Discourse on the Almsfood Eater

28. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time, when several monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, were seated together assembled in the Kareri circular pavilion, this discussion arose -

"An almsfood eater, friends, a monk walking for almsfood, obtains from time to time to see pleasing forms with the eye, obtains from time to time to hear pleasing sounds with the ear, obtains from time to time to smell pleasing odours with the nose, obtains from time to time to taste pleasing flavours with the tongue, obtains from time to time to touch pleasing tangible objects with the body. An almsfood eater, friends, a monk goes for almsfood honoured, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed. Come, friends, let us too be almsfood eaters. We too will obtain from time to time to see pleasing forms with the eye, we too will obtain from time to time to hear pleasing sounds with the ear, we too will obtain from time to time to smell pleasing odours with the nose, we too will obtain from time to time to taste pleasing flavours with the tongue, we too will obtain from time to time to touch pleasing tangible objects with the body; we too, honoured, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed, will go for almsfood." And this discussion among those monks was not finished.

Then the Blessed One, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, went to the Kareri circular pavilion; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down, the Blessed One addressed the monks: "What discussion were you having as you sat together here, monks? And what was the conversation that was interrupted?"

"Here, venerable sir, when we, after the meal, having returned from our alms round, were seated together assembled in the Kareri circular pavilion, this discussion arose -

'An almsfood eater, friends, a monk walking for almsfood, obtains from time to time to see pleasing forms with the eye, obtains from time to time to hear pleasing sounds with the ear, obtains from time to time to smell pleasing odours with the nose, obtains from time to time to taste pleasing flavours with the tongue, obtains from time to time to touch pleasing tangible objects with the body. An almsfood eater, friends, a monk goes for almsfood honoured, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed. Come, friends, let us too be almsfood eaters. We too will obtain from time to time to see pleasing forms with the eye, etc. to touch tangible objects with the body. We too, honoured, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed, will go for almsfood.' This, venerable sir, was our discussion that was interrupted when the Blessed One arrived."

"This indeed, monks, is not proper for you, sons of good family who have gone forth from home into homelessness through faith, that you should engage in such talk. When you have gathered together, monks, there are two things to be done - either a talk on the Teaching or noble silence."

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -