[523] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Kosambī in Ghosita's Park (Ghositārāma). Now at that time a householder who was the supporter of the Venerable Channa said this to the Venerable Channa: "Venerable sir, find a site for a dwelling; I shall have a dwelling built for the master." Then the Venerable Channa, while clearing the site for the dwelling, had a certain shrine-tree (cetiyarukkha) cut down — one venerated by the village, venerated by the town, venerated by the city, venerated by the district, venerated by the country. People criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, have a shrine-tree cut down — one venerated by the village, venerated by the town, venerated by the city, venerated by the district, venerated by the country? The ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, are harming one-facultied life (ekindriya jīva)."
Bhikkhus heard those people criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can the Venerable Channa have a shrine-tree cut down — one venerated by the village … venerated by the country?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. … "Is it true, as they say, Channa, that you had a shrine-tree cut down — one venerated by the village … venerated by the country?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: … "How can you, foolish man, have a shrine-tree cut down — one venerated by the village, venerated by the town, venerated by the city, venerated by the district, venerated by the country? For people perceive life in a tree, foolish man. This, foolish man, is not for the confidence of those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule: When a bhikkhu is having a large dwelling built, having a sponsor (sassāmika) and intended for himself (attuddesa), bhikkhus must be brought for the designation of the site. Those bhikkhus should designate a site not entailing harm (anārambha) and having a surrounding space (saparikkamana). If a bhikkhu should have a large dwelling built on a site entailing harm and lacking a surrounding space, or should not bring bhikkhus for the designation of the site, it is an offense entailing a formal meeting of the Saṅgha (saṅghādisesa)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.