(Mv.VI.1.1) [25] Now at that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was staying at Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. And at that time, the bhikkhus, afflicted by the autumn disease, would throwup the conjey they had drunk and the meals they had eaten. Because of this they were thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins. The Blessed One saw them — thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins — and on seeing them, addressed Ven. Ānanda,

“Ānanda, why are the monks, at this time, thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins?”

“Lord, at this time the monks, afflicted by the autumn disease, throw up the conjey they have drunk and the meals they have eaten. Because of this they are thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins.”

(Mv.VI.1.2) Then, as the Blessed One was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in his awareness:

“At this time the monks, afflicted by the autumn disease, throw up the conjey they have drunk and the meals they have eaten. Because of this they are thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins.

“What if I were to allow medicine for them that would be both medicine and agreed to be medicine by the world, and fulfill the purpose of food, yet would not be considered substantial food.”

Then the thought occurred to him: “There are these five tonics — ghee, fresh butter, oil, honey, sugar/molasses — that are both medicine and agreed to be medicine by the world, and fulfill the purpose of food, yet would not be considered substantial food.

“What if I were now to allow the monks, having accepted them at the right time (from dawnrise to noon), to consume them at the right time?”

(Mv.VI.1.3) Then, when it was evening, the Blessed One rose from seclusion and, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Just now, monks, as I was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in my awareness:

“‘At this time the monks, afflicted by the autumn disease, throw up the conjey they have drunk and the meals they have eaten. Because of this they are thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins.

“‘What if I were to allow medicine for them that would be both medicine and agreed to be medicine by the world, and fulfill the purpose of food, yet would not be considered substantial food.’

“Then this thought occurred to me: ‘There are these five tonics — ghee, fresh butter, oil, honey, sugar/molasses — that are both medicine and agreed to be medicine by the world, and fulfill the purpose of food yet would not be considered substantial food.

“‘What if I were now to allow the monks, having accepted them at the right time (from dawnrise to noon), to consume them at the right time?’

“Monks, I allow that the five tonics, having been accepted at the right time, be consumed at the right time.”

(Mv.VI.1.4) [26] Now at that time monks, having accepted the five tonics at the right time, consumed them at the right time. (Because of this) they could not stomach even ordinary coarse foods, much less rich, greasy ones. As a result, afflicted both by the autumn disease and this loss of appetite for meals, they became even more thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins. The Blessed One saw them — even more thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins — and on seeing them, addressed Ven. Ānanda,

“Ānanda, why are the monks now even more thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins?”

(Mv.VI.1.5) “At this time, the monks, having accepted the five tonics at the right time, consume them at the right time.

“Because of this they can’t stomach even ordinary coarse foods, much less rich, greasy ones.

“As a result, afflicted both by the autumn disease and this loss of appetite for meals, they are even more thin, wretched, unattractive, pale, their bodies covered with veins.”

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow that the five tonics, having been accepted, be consumed at the right time or the wrong time.”

(Mv.VI.2.1) [27] Now at that time the sick monks needed tallow-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that tallow-medicine — i.e., tallow from bears, tallow from fish, tallow from alligators, tallow from pigs, tallow from donkeys — be consumed as oil if received in the right time, rendered in the right time, and filtered in the right time.[2]

(Mv.VI.2.2) “Monks, if one should consume what is received in the wrong time, rendered in the wrong time, and filtered in the wrong time: three offenses of wrong-doing.

“Monks, if one should consume what is received in the right time, rendered in the wrong time, and filtered in the wrong time: two offenses of wrong-doing.

“Monks, if one should consume what is received in the right time, rendered in the right time, and filtered in the wrong time: an offense of wrong-doing.

“Monks, if one should consume what is received in the right time, rendered in the right time, and filtered in the right time: no offense.