[631] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Udāyi was an archer. And crows were displeasing to him. Having shot crows [1] and cut off their heads, he set them in a row upon a stake.
The bhikkhus said this: "Friend, by whom have these crows been deprived of life?"
"By me, friends; crows are displeasing to me."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … were annoyed, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can the Venerable Udāyi intentionally deprive a living being of life?" …
"Is it true, as they say, Udāyi, that you intentionally deprived a living being of life?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How indeed can you, foolish man, intentionally deprive a living being of life? This, foolish man, is neither 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 (sikkhāpada): 'Whatever bhikkhu should intentionally deprive a living being of life, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.