Now on that occasion a family, supporters of Ven. Upananda the Sakyan-son, sent some non-staple foods for the sake of the Saṅgha, (thinking,) “Having shown it to Master Upananda, it should be given to the Saṅgha.”[1]

And at that time Ven. Upananda the Sakyan-son had entered the village for alms.

Then the people, going to the monastery, asked the monks, “Venerable sirs, where is Master Upananda?”

“Friends, Ven. Upananda the Sakyan-son has entered the village for alms.”

“Having been shown to Master Upananda, this non-staple food should be given to the Saṅgha.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“In this case, monks, having accepted it, set it aside until Upananda comes back.”

Then Ven. Upananda the Sakyan-son, having visited families before the meal, came back during the day[2].

Now at that time, because of the famine, the monks, having refused (further food) after just a little, and on consideration, rejected (the offer).

The entire Saṅgha had refused (further food).

Anxious, the monks didn’t accept the food.

“Accept it, monks, and consume it.

“Monks, I allow that, having eaten and refused (further food), one may consume what has not been made left over if it was formally accepted before the meal.”

Then the Blessed One, having stayed at Rājagaha as long as he liked, set out on a wandering tour toward Sāvatthī, and traveling by stages, arrived at Sāvatthī.

There he stayed at Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

Now at that time Ven. Sāriputta had a body-inflammation illness.

Then Ven. Mahā Moggallāna went to Ven. Sāriputta and, on arrival, said to him, “Friend, when you had a body-inflammation illness before, what made you feel at ease?”

“Lotus roots and stalks (work) for me, friend.”

So Ven. Mahā Moggallāna — just as a strong man might extend his flexed arm or flex his extended arm — disappeared from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared on the banks of the Lake Mandākinī.

A certain elephant saw him coming in the distance and, on seeing him, said to him, “Venerable sir, may the Master Mahā Moggallāna come. Venerable sir, welcome to Master Mahā Moggallāna. What, venerable sir, does the master need? What shall I give?”

“Friend, I need lotus roots and stalks.”

So the elephant commanded a certain elephant, “I say, then, give the master as much lotus root and stalk as he needs.”

Then the elephant, plunging into Lake Mandākinī, having pulled up some lotus roots and stalk with his trunk and washed them well, binding them in a bundle, went to Ven. Mahā Moggallāna.

Then Ven. Mahā Moggallāna — just as a strong man might extend his flexed arm or flex his extended arm — disappeared from the banks of Lake Mandākinī and reappeared in Jeta’s Grove.

The elephant also disappeared from the banks of Lake Mandākinī and reappeared in Jeta’s Grove.

Then the elephant, having gotten them to offer the lotus roots and stalks to Ven. Mahā Moggallāna, disappeared from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared on the banks of the Lake Mandākinī.

Then Ven. Mahā Moggallāna presented the lotus roots and stalks to Ven. Sāriputta.

And when he had consumed the lotus roots and stalks, his body-inflammation illness subsided.

There was a large amount of left-over lotus root and stalk.

Now at that time, because of the famine, the monks, having refused (further food) after just a little, and on consideration, rejected (the offer).

The entire Saṅgha had refused (further food).

Anxious, the monks didn’t accept (the lotus roots and stalks).

“Accept it, monks, and consume it.

“Monks, I allow that, having eaten and refused (further food), one may consume what has not been made left over if it grows in the woods, if it grows in a lotus pond.”

Now at that time, in Sāvatthī, there was a great excess of non-staple fruit fruit, but no one to make it allowable.

Anxious, the monks didn’t consume the fruit.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that fruit that has not been made allowable[1] be consumed if it is without seeds, or if the seeds are discharged.”