Then the Blessed One, having stayed at Bhaddiya as long as he liked, without informing Meṇḍaka the householder, set out on a wandering tour toward Aṅguttarāpa, along with a large Saṅgha of monks — 1,250 monks.

Meṇḍaka the householder heard that, “The Blessed One, they say, has set out on a wandering tour toward Aṅguttarāpa, along with a large Saṅgha of monks — 1,250 monks.”

So he commanded his slaves and workmen, “I say, in that case, load up a lot of salt, oil, rice, and non-staple foods into carts, and come along. And have 1,250 cowherds come along, taking 1,250 milk-cows. Wherever we see the Blessed One, we’ll serve him with stream-warm[1] milk.”

Then Meṇḍaka the householder met up with the Blessed One along a desolate stretch of road.

So he went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to the Blessed One, stood to one side.

As he was standing there, he said to the Blessed One, “Lord, may the Blessed One acquiesce to my meal tomorrow, together with the Saṅgha of monks.”

The Blessed One acquiesced with silence.

Then Meṇḍaka the householder, understanding the Blessed One’s acquiescence, got up from his seat, bowed down to him, circumambulated him, keeping him to his right, and left.

Then, at the end of the night, Meṇḍaka the householder, having ordered exquisite staple and non-staple food prepared, had the time announced to the Blessed One: “It’s time, Lord. The meal is ready.”

Then the Blessed One, early in the morning, adjusted his under robe and — carrying his bowl & outer robe — went to the residence of Meṇḍaka the householder and, on arrival, sat down on a seat laid out, along with the Saṅgha of monks.

Then Meṇḍaka the householder commanded the 1,250 cowherds, “I say, In this case, each of you take a milk-cow and attend to one monk. We’ll feed them with fresh warm milk.”

Then Meṇḍaka the householder, with his own hands, served and satisfied the Saṅgha of monks, headed by the Buddha, with exquisite staple and non-staple food and also fresh warm milk.

Anxious, the monks didn’t accept the milk.

“Accept it, monks, and consume it.”

Then Meṇḍaka the householder, with his own hands, served and satisfied the Saṅgha of monks headed by the Buddha with exquisite staple and non-staple food and also fresh warm milk. Then, when the Blessed One had finished his meal and withdrawn his hand from the bowl, he sat to one side.

As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, “Lord, there are badland roads with little water, little food. It is not easy to go along them without provisions for a journey. It would be good, lord, if the Blessed One would allow provisions for a journey for the monks.”

Then the Blessed One, having instructed, urged, roused, & encouraged Meṇḍaka the householder with Dhamma talk, got up from his seat and left.

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow the five products of a cow: milk, curds, buttermilk, butter, ghee. [BMC: 1 2]

“There are badland roads with little water, little food. It is not easy to go along them without provisions for a journey.

“I allow that provisions for a journey be sought out: husked rice by one who has need of husked rice, green gram by one who has need of green gram, black-eyed peas by one who has need of black-eyed peas, salt by one who has need of salt, sugar-lumps by one who has need of sugar-lumps, oil by one who has need of oil, ghee by one who has need of ghee. [BMC: 1 2]

“There are people of conviction and confidence who place gold and silver in the hands of stewards, (saying,) ‘Give the master whatever is allowable.’

“I allow that whatever is allowable coming from that be accepted. But in no way at all do I say that money is to be accepted or sought for.” [BMC]