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536
KULLAVAGGA.
· V, 27, 1.
arranged for the privilege of supplying food to the Samgha, and in the dining-hall many fragments of rice were allowed to fall.
The people murmured, were annoyed, and were indignant, saying, 'How can the Sakya-puttiya. Samanas, when food is being given to them, take it so carelessly. Each single ball of rice is the result of hundredfold labour!'
The Bhikkhus heard of the people thus murmuring, &c., and they told the matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, whatever thing falls when it is being given to you, yourselves to pick it up and eat it. That has been presented, O Bhikkhus, by the givers.'
27.
1. Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu went on his round for alms with long finger-nails. A certain woman, seeing him, said to that Bhikkhu : 'Come along, Sir, and have connection with me.'
Nay, Sister, that is not becoming.' 'If you do not, Sir, I will at once scratch? my limbs with my own nails, and will make as if I were angry, saying, “This Bhikkhu has ill-treated me.”'
'Settle that with yourself, Sister.'
That woman did as she had said, and people running up seized that Bhikkhu. Then they saw skin and blood on the woman's nails; and on seeing that, they let the Bhikkhu go, saying, 'This is the
1 On vilikhati, compare VI, 20.
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