[354] At that time the Blessed One, the Buddha, was dwelling at Āḷavī, at the Aggāḷava Shrine. Now at that time the bhikkhus of Āḷavī, carrying out building work (navakamma), were cutting down trees themselves and having them cut down. A certain bhikkhu of Āḷavī, too, was cutting down a tree. The deity (devatā) dwelling in that tree said this to that bhikkhu: "Venerable sir, wishing to make a dwelling for yourself, do not cut down my dwelling." That bhikkhu, paying no heed, cut it down anyway, and he struck the arm of that deity's little child.
Then it occurred to that deity: "What if I were to deprive this bhikkhu of life right here?" Then it occurred to that deity: "But it would not be proper for me to deprive this bhikkhu of life right here. What if I were to inform the Blessed One of this matter?" Then that deity approached the Blessed One, and having approached, informed the Blessed One of this matter.
"Good, good, deity! It is good, deity, that you did not deprive that bhikkhu of life. If today, deity, you had deprived that bhikkhu of life, you, deity, would have generated much demerit. Go, deity: in such-and-such a place there is a vacant tree; take up residence in it."
People criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, cut down trees themselves and have them cut down? The ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, are harming one-facultied life."
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 bhikkhus of Āḷavī cut down trees themselves and have them cut down?" Then those bhikkhus informed the Blessed One of this matter. …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you cut down trees yourselves and have them cut down?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, cut down trees yourselves and have them cut down? For people, foolish men, perceive life in a tree. This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those who have confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"In the destruction of plants (bhūtagāma), there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.