“Raṭṭhapāla’s father, monks, once spoke to his son with this verse: ‘All these people, Raṭṭhāpāla, Who come to me and beg—I don’t even know them. So why don’t <em>you</em> beg from me?’ ‘The beggar is disliked, And so is one who doesn’t give when asked. That’s why I do not beg from you; Please don’t hate me for this.’ If the gentleman Raṭṭhapāla could say this to his own father, how much more can one person to another.

It’s hard, monks, for householders to acquire and protect their possessions. And still, foolish men, you kept on begging and asking for all sorts of things. This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling