1. Now after the Blessed One had remained at Sâvatthi as long as he thought fit, he. went forth on his journey towards Râgagaha. And on the way the venerable Kaṅkhâ-revata saw a sugar factory, and on stepping aside to it (he saw the men) putting flour and cane-dust into the molasses. When he saw that he thought: 'Molasses mixed with food is not permitted: it is not permitted to take such molasses (at a time) beyond the time (for the daily meal).' And fearing to offend he ate not of it, and his attendant Bhikkhus ate not, and such as held him worthy to be heard, they ate not.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Why, O Bhikkhus, do they put flour and cane-dust into molasses?'
'In order, Lord, to make it firm.'
'If, O Bhikkhus, they put flour and cane-dust into molasses to make it firm, but it is still (nevertheless) considered to be molasses, I allow you, O Bhikkhus, such molasses as much as you like.'
2. Now the venerable Kaṅkhâ-revata saw on the way a kidney bean growing out of a dung heap. And when he had seen it, he thought: 'Beans are not permitted (to us, for) beans grow ready ripe 2: And
67:1 Compare the 23rd Nissaggiya.
67:2 Pakkâ pi muggâ gâyanti, the meaning of which is not quite clear. Buddhaghosa says, yathâsukham paribhuñgitabbâ, pakkattâ
