esh meat.

After Buddha attained to pari-nirvana,(6) the kings of the various
countries and the heads of the Vaisyas(7) built viharas for the
priests, and endowed them with fields, houses, gardens, and orchards,
along with the resident populations and their cattle, the grants being
engraved on plates of metal,(8) so that afterwards they were handed
down from king to king, without any daring to annul them, and they
remain even to the present time.

The regular business of the monks is to perform acts of meritorious
virtue, and to recite their Sutras and sit wrapt in meditation. When
stranger monks arrive (at any monastery), the old residents meet and
receive them, carry for them their clothes and alms-bowl, give them
water to wash their feet, oil with which to anoint them, and the
liquid food permitted out of the regular hours.(9) When (the stranger)
has enjoyed a very brief rest, they further ask the number of years
that he has been a monk, after which he receives a sleeping apartment
with its appurtenances, according to his regular order, and everything
is done for him which the rules prescribe.(10)

Where a community of monks resides, they erect topes to
Sariputtra,(11) to Maha-maudgalyayana,(12) and to Ananda,(13) and also
topes (in honour) of the Abhidharma, the Vinaya, and the Sutras.
A month after the (annual season of) rest, the families which are
looking out for blessing stimulate one another(14) to make offerings
to the monks, and send round to them the liquid food which may be
taken out of the ordinary hours. All the monks come together in a
great assembly, and preach the Law;(15) after which offerings are
presented at the tope of Sariputtra, with all kinds of flowers and
incense. All through the night lamps are kept burning, and skilful
musicians are employed to perform.(16)

When Sariputtra was a great Brahman, he went to Buddha, and begged
(to be permitted) to quit his family (and become a monk). The
great Mugalan and the great Kasyapa(17) also did the same. The
bhikshunis(18) for the most part make their offerings at the tope
of Ananda, because it was he who requested the World-honoured one
to allow females to quit their families (and become nuns). The
Sramaneras(19) mostly make their offerings to Rahula.(20) The
professors of the Abhidharma make their offerings to it; those of the
Vinaya to it. Every year there is one such offering, and each class
has its own day for it. Students of the mahayana pres