Susima Jātaka

“Five score black elephants,” etc.—This story the Master told at Jetavana, about arbitrary giving of alms.
We hear that at Savatthi, a family used sometimes to give alms to the Buddha and his friends, sometimes they used to give to the heretics, or else the givers would form themselves into companies, or again the people of one street would club together, or the whole of the inhabitants would collect voluntary offerings, and present them.
On this occasion all the inhabitants had made such a collection of all necessaries; but counsels were divided, some demanding that this be given to the heretics, some speaking for those who followed the Buddha. Each party stuck to their point, the disciples of the heretics voting for the heretics, and the disciples of Buddha for Buddha’s company. Then it was proposed to divide upon the question, and accordingly they divided; those who were for the Buddha were in the majority.
So their plan was followed, and the disciples of the heretics could not prevent the gifts being offered to the Buddha and his followers.
The citizens gave invitation to the Buddha’s company; for seven days they set rich offerings before them, and on the seventh gave over all th