Lzh Mg Bi Pm Pc 66Sitting Mats
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nisīdana
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The Sutta on the Sitting Mat (Nisīdana Sutta)
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the rules governing the requisites used by monks and nuns are not merely prohibitions but also teachings on restraint and non-greed. The Nisīdana Sutta (sitting mat) is a rule concerning the mat or cushion that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs use when sitting in meditation.
According to the Pāli Piṭaka tradition, these rules arose in the context of the Buddha and his disciples residing in various localities. In certain places, bhikkhus began using sitting mats that were excessively large, overly decorated, or too luxurious, which was at odds with the spirit of humble practice. The Buddha, observing that such conduct gave rise to afflictions and disrupted the harmony of the monastic community, set forth regulations concerning the size and material of sitting mats.
Main Content
The regulation concerning the Nisīdana (sitting mat) in the Vinaya Piṭaka stipulates that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs may only use sitting mats of a size and material befitting the spirit of humility within the Sangha. A sitting mat must not be excessively long or wide, nor may it be adorned with costly materials such as gold, silver, or brilliant colors.
Specifically, this regulation limits the size of a sitting mat to what is reasonable for the purposes of meditation and the cultivation of practice. Should a bhikkhu use a sitting mat that exceeds the established standard, this is considered an offense requiring confession (Pācittiya — those acts that require expiation). The purpose is not to create hardship, but to train the mind in non-attachment and to preserve the purity of the Sangha.
This regulation also reflects a profound principle: the requisites of practice should serve the cultivation of the Dharma, not the gratification of personal desires. The sitting mat is a support for practice, not a symbol of status or wealth.
Practical Significance
For the contemporary practitioner, the Nisīdana Sutta teaches us about the balance between making use of conditions that support practice and avoiding dependence on material comforts.
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