4-42 §10 Gāmaṇisamyutta | Samyutta

10 Maṇicūḷaka

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary.

Now on that occasion the members of the king’s retinue had assembled in the royal palace and were sitting together when the following conversation arose:

Gold and silver are allowable for the ascetics following the Sakyan son;
the ascetics following the Sakyan son consent to gold and silver;
the ascetics following the Sakyan son accept gold and silver.

Now on that occasion Maṇicūḷaka the headman was sitting in that assembly. Then Maṇicūḷaka the headman said to that assembly:

Do not speak thus, masters.

Gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics following the Sakyan son;
the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not consent to gold and silver;
the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not accept gold and silver.

They have renounced jewellery and gold; they have given up the use of gold and silver.

And Maṇicūḷaka was able to convince that assembly.

Then Maṇicūḷaka approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, he reported to the Blessed One all that had happened, adding:

I hope, venerable sir, that when I answered thus I stated what has been said by the Blessed One and did not misrepresent him with what is contrary to fact;

that I explained in accordance with the Dhamma, and that no reasonable consequence of my statement gives ground for criticism.

For sure, headman, when you answered thus you stated what has been said by me and did not misrepresent me with what is contrary to fact;

you explained in accordance with the Dhamma, and no reasonable consequence of your statement gives ground for criticism.

For, headman, gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics following the Sakyan son; the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not consent to gold and silver; the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not accept gold and silver.

They have renounced jewellery and gold; they have given up the use of gold and silver.

If gold and silver are allowable for anyone, the 5 cords of sensual pleasure are allowable for him.

If the 5 cords of sensual pleasure are allowable for anyone, you can definitely consider him to be one who does not have the character of an ascetic or of a follower of the Sakyan son.

Further, headman, I say this:

‘Straw may be sought by one needing straw;
timber may be sought by one needing timber;
a cart may be sought by one needing a cart;
a workman may be sought by one needing a workman.’

But I do not say that there is any method by which gold and silver may be consented to or sought.