Now at that time several monks, having spent the Rains among the Kāsis, going to Rājagaha to see the Blessed One, didn’t get as much coarse or refined staple food along the road as they needed.

There was plenty of non-staple fruit but no one to make it allowable.

Then the monks, looking exhausted, went to Rājagaha, to the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels’ Feeding Ground. They went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

It is the practice of Buddhas, Blessed Ones, to engage in conversation with visiting monks.

Then the Blessed One said to them, “Is it agreeable, monks? Are you getting by? Did you come along the road with little weariness? Where are you coming from, monks?”

“It’s agreeble, O Blessed One. We’re getting by, O Blessed One. Just now, lord, having spent the Rains among the Kāsis, coming to Rājagaha to see the Blessed One, we didn’t get as much coarse or refined staple food along the road as we needed.

“There was plenty of non-staple fruit but no one to make it allowable.

“That’s why we have arrived looking exhausted.”

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

“Monks, I allow that where one sees non-staple fruit, and there is no one to make it allowable, having picked it up and carried it away, having seen someone to make it allowable, having placed it on the ground, having formally received it, one may consume it.

“Monks, I allow that one formally accept what one has picked up.” [BMC]

Now on that occasion some fresh sesame seed and fresh honey accrued to a certain brahman.

Then the thought occurred to him, “What if I were to give this fresh sesame seed and fresh honey to the Saṅgha of monks, headed by the Buddha?”

So the brahman went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he stood to one side.

As he was standing there, he said to the Blessed One, “Lord, may Master Gotama acquiesce to my meal tomorrow, together with the Saṅgha of monks.”

The Blessed One acquiesced with silence.

Then the brahman, understanding the Blessed One’s acquiescence, left.

As the night was ending, the brahman, having ordered exquisite staple and non-staple food prepared, had the time announced to the Blessed One: “It’s time, Master Gotama. The meal is ready.”

Then, early in the morning, having adjusted his under robe and carrying his bowl and robes, the Blessed One went to the brahman’s residence and, on arrival, sat down on a seat laid out, along with the Saṅgha of monks.

Then the brahman, with his own hand served and satisfied the Saṅgha of monks headed by the Buddha with exquisite staple and non-staple foods. When the Blessed One had finished his meal and withdrawn his hand from the bowl, he sat to one side.

Having instructed, urged, roused, and encouraged the brahman with a Dhamma talk as he was sitting there, the Blessed One got up from his seat and left.

Then, not long after the Blessed One had left, the thought occurred to the brahman, “The purpose for which I invited the Saṅgha of monks, headed by the Buddha, was (thinking,) ‘I will give fresh sesame seed and fresh honey.’ But I forgot to give them. What if I were to have it carried to the monastery in jars and water-pots?”

So the brahman, having had the fresh sesame seed and fresh honey carried to the monastery in jars and water-pots, went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, stood to one side.

As he was standing there, he said to the Blessed One,

“Master Gotama, the purpose for which I invited the Saṅgha of monks, headed by the Buddha, was (thinking,) ‘I will give fresh sesame seed and fresh honey.’ But I forgot to give them. May Master Gotama accept my fresh sesame seed and fresh honey.”

“In this case, brahman, give it to the monks.”

Now at that time, because of the famine, the monks, having refused (further food) after just a little, and on consideration, rejected (the offer). [BMC]

The entire Saṅgha had refused (further food).

Anxious, the monks didn’t accept the fresh sesame seed and fresh honey.

“Accept it, monks, and consume it.

“I allow that, having eaten and refused (further food), one may consume what has not been made left over if it is brought back from there (where the meal was).”