On one occasion a certain government official who was an Ājīvaka disciple was offering a meal to the Sangha. Arriving late, Venerable Upananda the Sakyan made the nearest monk get up before he had finished his meal. There was an uproar in the dining hall. That official then complained and criticized him, “How can the Sakyan monastics arrive late and make the nearest monk get up in the middle of his meal? There was an uproar in the dining hall. It’s impossible to eat as much as you like when you’re not seated.” The monks heard the complaints of that official, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized Upananda, “How could he act like this?” They told the Buddha what had happened. “Is it true, Upananda, that you acted like this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, how could you act like this? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking him … the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “You shouldn’t make a monk get up who hasn’t finished his meal. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. If you’re asked to get up, and you’ve already refused an invitation to eat more, you should say, “Please go and get some water.” If the other goes, all is well. If not, you should properly swallow the mouthful and give the seat to the more senior monk. Under no circumstances should you block a more senior monk from a seat. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”