I don't see Piya's article or a link - where should I be looking?
Also, here is the sutta Lennart mentioned.
metta and peace,
Christine
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
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Samyutta Nikaya 42 Gamanisamyutta "10 Maniculaka" The Connected
Discourses of the Buddha. A New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya by
Bhikkhu Bodhi p.1346
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha 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 conversaion 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 Maniculaka the headman was sitting in that
assembly. Then Maniculaka 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."
[350] And Maniculaka was able to convince that assembly.
Then Maniculaka approached the Blessed One, paid homange 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 five cords of sensual pleasure are
allowable for him. If the five 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."