Then, in no long time, the Blessed One’s body returned to normalcy.

(Mv.VIII.1.34) Jīvaka Komārabhacca, taking the pair of Sivi robes, went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, “Lord, I have one boon to ask of the Blessed One.”

“Tathāgatas have gone beyond boons, Jīvaka.”

“It is allowable and blameless, lord.”

“Say it, Jīvaka.”

“Lord, the Blessed One is a rag-robe wearer, as are the monks of the Saṅgha. I have this pair of Sivi robes, sent by King Pajjota — the supreme, best, foremost, most excellent and special of many robes, many pairs of robes, many hundreds of pairs of robes, many thousands of pairs of robes, many hundreds of thousands of pairs of robes. Lord, may the Blessed One accept my pair of Sivi robes and allow householder robe-cloth for the Saṅgha of monks.”

The Blessed One accepted the pair of Sivi robes. Then the Blessed One instructed, urged, roused, & encouraged Jīvaka Komārabhacca with a Dhamma talk. Having been instructed, urged, roused, & encouraged by the Blessed One with a Dhamma talk, he got up from his seat, bowed down to him, circumambulated him, keeping him to his right, and left.

(Mv.VIII.1.35) Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow householder robe-cloth. Whoever wants to, may be a rag-robe man. Whoever wants to, may consent to householder robe-cloth. And I commend contentment with whatever (is readily available).”[1]

The people of Rājagaha heard that, “The Blessed One, they say, has allowed householder robe-cloth for the monks.”[2]

So the people were thrilled and exultant, (thinking,) “Now we will give gifts and make merit, as the Blessed One has allowed householder robe-cloth for the monks.”

In just one day, many thousands of robes accrued (to the Saṅgha) in Rājagaha. The people in the countryside heard that, “The Blessed One, they say, has allowed householder robe-cloth for the monks.”

So the people were thrilled and exultant, (thinking,) “Now we will give gifts and make merit, as the Blessed One has allowed householder robe-cloth for the monks.”

In just one day, many thousands of robes accrued (to the Saṅgha) in the countryside.

(Mv.VIII.1.36) [137] Now on that occasion a cloak accrued to the Saṅgha. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a cloak.”

A silk cloak accrued (to the Saṅgha).

“Monks, I allow a silk cloak.”

A woolen shawl accrued (to the Saṅgha).

“Monks, I allow a woolen shawl.”[3]

The first recitation section is finished.