[586] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the bhikkhus of the group of seventeen were playing in the water of the river Aciravatī. Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala had gone up to the upper storey of his fine palace together with Queen Mallikā. King Pasenadi of Kosala saw the group-of-seventeen bhikkhus playing in the water of the river Aciravatī; having seen them, he said this to Queen Mallikā: "Look, Mallikā, these arahants are playing in the water."
"Without doubt, great king, either a training rule (sikkhāpada) has not been laid down by the Blessed One, or those bhikkhus do not know that it has been laid down."
Then it occurred to King Pasenadi of Kosala: "By what means might I, without myself informing the Blessed One, cause the Blessed One to know that these bhikkhus were playing in the water?" Then King Pasenadi of Kosala had the group-of-seventeen bhikkhus summoned and gave them a great lump of sugar (guḷapiṇḍa), saying: "Venerable sirs, give this lump of sugar to the Blessed One."
The group-of-seventeen bhikkhus took that lump of sugar and approached the Blessed One; having approached, they said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, the king gives this lump of sugar to the Blessed One."
"But where, bhikkhus, did the king see you?"
"Playing in the water of the river Aciravatī, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, play in the water? This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those already confident …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule: 'In the act of sporting [laughing] in the water, there is an offense entailing confession (pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.