On one occasion when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the monks from the group of seventeen were playing in the water of the river Aciravatī. Just then, while King Pasenadi of Kosala was up in his finest stilt house with Queen Mallikā, he saw the monks from the group of seventeen playing in the river. He said to Queen Mallikā, “Mallikā, these perfected ones are playing in the water.” “Great king, no doubt the Buddha hasn’t laid down a rule. Either that, or these monks are ignorant.” King Pasenadi thought, “How can the Buddha find out about these monks playing in the water without me telling him?” Having sent for those monks, King Pasenadi gave them a large lump of sugar, saying, “Sirs, please give this lump of sugar to the Buddha.” The monks took the lump of sugar, went to the Buddha, and said, “Sir, this lump of sugar is a gift from King Pasenadi.” “But, monks, where did you see the king?” “From the river Aciravatī, while playing in the water.” The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you play in water? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling ‘If a monk plays in water, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions Plays in water: if, aiming to have fun, he immerses himself or emerges on the surface or swims in water that is more than ankle deep, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations If he is playing in water, and he perceives that he is, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he is playing in water, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he is playing in water, but he does not perceive that he is, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he is playing in water less than ankle deep, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he is playing in a boat in water, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he strikes the water with his hand, with his foot, with a stick, or with a stone, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he plays with water in a vessel, or with congee, milk, buttermilk, dye, urine, or mud in a vessel, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he is not playing in water, but he perceives that he is, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he is not playing in water, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he is not playing in water, and he does not perceive that he is, there is no offense.

Non-offenses