“Sir, we have both seen this Aciravatī River when it has rained heavily in the mountains, and the river overflows both its banks. In the same way, Venerable Ānanda can make a set of three robes for himself from this foreign cloth, and you can share your old robes with your fellow monks. In this way my religious donation will come to overflow, it seems to me. Please accept the foreign cloth.”

So Ānanda accepted it. Then King Pasenadi said to him, “Well, now, sir, I must go. I have many duties, and much to do.” “Please, Great King, go at your convenience.” Then King Pasenadi approved and agreed with what Ānanda said. He rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled Ānanda, keeping him on his right, before leaving.

Soon after he left, Ānanda went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. He presented the cloth to the Buddha.

Then the Buddha said to the mendicants, “Mendicants, King Pasenadi is lucky, so very lucky, to get to see Ānanda and pay homage to him.” That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

Middle Discourses 89 Shrines to the Teaching