________________
5. The Begging-Tour
:
93
87. Supposing that the monk should wish to eat after having come back to his quarters, he should, having returned with the collected alms, duly inspect it, 88. come in respectfully to [the place) where [his] Guru is (seated], approach with the airyāpathiki-formula and, bowing down, 89. in due order, without concealing anything, confess any transgression which he might have been guilty of during his going or returning or his collecting food and drink. 90. As an honest [and] steadfast [monk] with undisturbed mind, he should report to his Guru all he has obtained and tell him] how he got it. 91. [If] he has not reported rightly or changed the succession (of alms] he should confess it at that time and while performing kāyôtsarga, think as follows: 92. Lo! The Jinas have shown [us] monks how to live without reproach and how to preserve [our] body as a means of obtaining salvation. 93. When he has finished the namaskāra-formula and the "Praise of the Jinas”, and has begun his study, the monk should rest a while, 94. (during which time), from the desire to obtain (dharma-] Tābha, he should think the following wholesome thought: if [the monks] were kind towards me [by accepting my invitation] I should be happy. 95. He then should in monks in due order, with kindness, and should eat there with those who like [to eat with him). 96. If no one likes [to do so), the monk should eat alone, [but] within their sight, carefully from his vessel without dropping (anything. 97. [Food the taste of which is] pungent, bitter, astringent, sour, sweet, or salt, if obtained, [though] destined for another [person], should be eaten by a monk, as if it were ghi with honey. 98. [Such mean] food that consists of] pounded jujube and beans and has no taste or a bad one, that is spiced or not, that is moist or dry, 99. be it obtained in small or big quantities, he should not find fault with, [provided that it is) pure. That which was given to him without regard [to his person], he should eat, if it is free from faults, as a [monk] who practises indifference. 100. People who give in this way) and [monks] who accept (in this way) are rarely to be found, [but] (both of them) [will] enjoy a happy life in the future existence]. Thus I say.
