法苑珠林 41.30

41.30

Furthermore, the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya states: The Buddha was dwelling on the banks of the Likheśa River. At that time, the World-Honoured One's bowl and the monks' bowls were placed together in the open air. At that time, there was a monkey who, walking along, saw ripe honey without bees in a tree. It came to take the World-Honoured One's bowl. The monks tried to stop it, but the Buddha said, 'Do not stop it; it has no bad intentions.' It then held the bowl, gathered the honey, and presented it. The World-Honoured One did not accept it, needing to wait for it to be purified with water. The monkey did not understand the Buddha's intention, thinking that there were insects. Looking closely, it saw honey flowing over the edge of the bowl, so it went to the water's edge and washed the bowl. Splashing water into the bowl, it brought it back and offered it to the Buddha. The Buddha then accepted it. Having had it accepted by the Buddha, the monkey was overjoyed; dancing backward, it fell into a pit and died, immediately being reborn in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven. At that time, the monks spoke a verse: