III.6. Monks and Tree-Spirits
Pañcasatavipassakabhikkhūnaṁ vatthu
Sandi M's summary:
Monks and Tree Spirits
500 monks with the intention of devoting themselves to the practice of meditation entered a forest grove near a village. In the forest dwelled virtuous spirits and they sat down on the ground after deeming it improper to climb the trees and move about the monks. When they found out the monks would be staying a long time however, they sought to drive them out. The monks fled back to their teacher for guidance and he offered them the weapon of Metta Sutta to recite before the forest. The spirits welcomed them with open arms.
