Lzh Mg Bu Pm Pc 84Beds and Benches
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mañcapīṭha
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The Mañcapīṭha Sutta — Beds and Seats
Background
The Mañcapīṭha Sutta (Beds and Seats) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Pātimokkha Samvara — the code of fundamental rules governing the daily conduct of the monastic community of monks and nuns. The context from which it arose was the growing tendency among bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to accumulate possessions beyond what was necessary, particularly luxurious beds and chairs, which stood in direct contradiction to the spirit of humble practice and the renunciation of sensual pleasures.
Upon observing this phenomenon, the Buddha promulgated precepts to address it. These rules were not intended as punishment, but rather to protect the spiritual lives of those who had gone forth from the enticements of material comfort. In the monastic life, beds and seats are not merely everyday objects; they are also symbols of attachment and desire — the very roots of suffering that the Buddha-Dharma seeks to eradicate.
Main Content
The Mañcapīṭha Sutta stipulates that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not make use of beds or seats that are excessively high, overly luxurious, or adorned with precious materials such as gold, silver, or abundant silken fabrics. Specifically, the following types of furnishings are prohibited:
Beds elevated more than eight spans in height (or, according to some versions, ten spans), stuffed with soft materials such as feathers or cotton; chairs with tall legs, elaborately carved or ornately decorated; beds covered with costly fabrics; and chairs with excessively refined backrests.
Instead, practitioners should use simple, sturdy beds and seats — sufficient for rest and meditation. The purpose of this rule is to keep the mind from being beguiled by sensual comfort, while at the same time cultivating a spirit of humble living.
Should a violation occur, the monastic community would undertake measures of recognition of the fault and correction. Nevertheless, this rule is not an absolute constraint — it is a guidance to help those who follow the Buddha-Dharma to advance, step by step, out of the grip of attachment.
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