On one occasion the monks of Āḷavī were doing building work when a monk lifted up a rafter to another monk above him. Because the other monk did not grasp it properly, it fell on the head of the monk below, who died. The other monk became anxious … “There’s no offense when it’s unintentional.” On one occasion the monks of Āḷavī were doing building work when a monk lifted up a rafter to another monk above him. The other monk dropped the rafter on his head, aiming to kill him. He died. … He did not die. The other monk became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”

On one occasion the monks of Āḷavī were putting together an elevated platform while doing building work. A monk said to another monk, “Put it together while standing here.” He did, and he fell down and died. The first monk became anxious … “What were you thinking, monk?” “I didn’t mean to kill him, sir.” “There’s no offense for one who isn’t aiming at death.” On one occasion the monks of Āḷavī were putting together an elevated platform while doing building work. A monk said to another monk, “Put it together while standing here,” aiming to kill him. He did, and he fell down and died. … he fell down, but did not die. The first monk became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”