On one occasion when the mango trees in King Bimbisāra’s park were bearing fruit, the king allowed the monks to eat as many mangoes as they wished. The monks from the group of six plucked and ate them all, even the unripe ones. Just then the king needed mangoes. He told his people, “Go to the park and bring back mangoes.” Saying, “Yes, sir,” they went to the park and said to the park keeper, “The king needs mangoes. Please get some.” “There aren’t any. The monks plucked and ate them all, including the unripe ones.” They reported it to the king. He said, “It’s good that the venerables have eaten the mangoes. Still, the Buddha has praised moderation.” People complained and criticized them, “How can the Sakyan monastics eat the king’s mangoes without moderation?” The monks heard the complaints of those people and then told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t eat mangoes. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

Soon afterwards a certain association was offering a meal to the Sangha. They had prepared mango curry. Being afraid of wrongdoing, the monks did not accept it. “Accept, monks, and eat it. I allow pieces of mango.”