Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 86Sitting Mats

– MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– EXPLAINING THE NINTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

86. RULE: MAKING A SITTING MAT BEYOND THE PRESCRIBED MEASUREMENTS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. For five reasons of benefit, the Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One would make a tour of the monks' quarters once every five days. He saw the bedding and sleeping requisites of the monks soiled with stains and scattered in disarray everywhere, like mandarava flowers being dried in the blazing sun. The Buddha then asked the monks:

—Whose bedding and sleeping requisites are these, so filthy and soiled?

—Blessed One, these are the sleeping requisites of the monks. Because nothing is used to cover them, they have become soiled and dirty in this way.

—Henceforth, I permit the making of sitting mats.

Furthermore, after the Buddha had permitted the making of sitting mats, the monks then sewed sitting mats with many layers. For five reasons of benefit, the Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One would make a tour of the monks' quarters once every five days. He saw cloth and sitting mats, soiled and scattered in disarray everywhere, like mandarava flowers being dried in the blazing sun. Although he knew, the Buddha still asked:

—Whose sitting mats are these, sewn with the cloth fringe left as it is, so grimy and soiled?

—Blessed One, the Blessed One permitted the making of sitting mats, so the monks sewed them with the fringe of the cloth left as it is.

—Why did you sew sitting mats with the fringe of the cloth left as it is? Henceforth they must be made to the proper measure: two sugata handspans in length and one and a half handspans in width.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. At that time many monks were in the assembly hall, discussing the following: "Venerable Elders, the Blessed One has prescribed the sitting mat to a certain size. If it is spread on the seat, both knees are left uncovered; if it is placed over both knees, the seat is left uncovered." The monks then brought this matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha asked the monks:

—Who is the senior elder among the Saṅgha?

—Sāriputta, Blessed One.

The Buddha then said to Sāriputta: "Many of the holy ones were discussing this matter—why did you sit in silence and listen? Now I impose on you the penalty of standing in the sun."

Sāriputta accepted the punishment and stood outside in the sun. The monks then came before the Blessed One, confessed, and said: "Blessed One, the Venerable Sāriputta has a slight and frail body. May the Blessed One forgive his fault and not let him suffer discomfort."

The Buddha said: "Not only today is his mind unshakeable—even in the past it was the same, as has been clearly told in the Jātaka of the Serpent. The serpent at that time was Sāriputta; its mind was exceedingly firm and utterly unshakeable."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. For five reasons of benefit, once every five days the Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One would make a tour of the monks' quarters. He saw the Saṅgha's mat, new and clean in the middle but soiled on both sides. Although he knew, the Buddha still asked:

—Monks, whose sleeping requisite is this, new and clean in the middle but soiled on both sides?

—Blessed One, because the Blessed One prescribed a sitting mat too small to give sufficient coverage, the part that is covered is clean while the part that is not covered is soiled.

—Henceforth, I permit the making of sitting mats with two layers, but they must not be made arbitrarily; rather, small pieces of old cloth should be sewn together in two layers. If Kambala cloth is used, one layer suffices; if Kappāsika cloth is used, make two layers.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. At that time, the Venerable Anuruddha draped his sitting mat over his shoulder and came to pay homage at the feet of the Blessed One. Although he knew, the Buddha still asked:

—What is that on your shoulder?

—Blessed One, it is the small sitting mat. But this sitting mat is too small; I request the Blessed One to permit an increase in its size.

—By how much of an increase would be sufficient?

—Blessed One, by about one handspan.

—I permit an increase of one handspan.

Then the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for ten reasons of benefit he laid down this rule for the monks—even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

"If a monk makes a sitting mat, he must make it to the proper measurements: two sugata handspans in length and one and a half handspans in width, with a further addition of one handspan (on each side). If he makes it exceeding the prescribed measurements, he must cut away the excess and then confess the Pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Making: Either making it oneself or having another make it.

Sitting mat: The Blessed One permits it to be made with a length of two sugata handspans and a width of one and a half handspans.

Length: That is, the longitudinal dimension.

Width: That is, the transverse dimension.

Sugata: The Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.

Handspan: The Tathāgata's handspan measures two feet and four inches (?).

Adding one handspan: Folding two or three layers of cloth and joining them onto the sitting mat as an addition. If it exceeds the prescribed measurement, it must be cut away and the Pācittiya offense confessed. If one confesses without cutting it away, one commits a Vinayātikrama offense.

Pācittiya: As stated above.

If one makes it oneself or has another make it with the length correct but the width exceeding the measure, then upon completion one commits a Pācittiya offense; upon using it one commits a Vinayātikrama offense.

If one makes it oneself or has another make it with the width correct but the length exceeding the measure, or with the middle correct but the outer edges exceeding the measure, or with the outer edges correct but the middle exceeding the measure, then upon completion one commits a Pācittiya offense; upon using it one commits a Vinayātikrama offense.

When folded, rolled up, soaked with water and then dried out, if it is still too long or too large beyond the measure, one commits a Pācittiya offense; if one uses it, one commits a Vinayātikrama offense. When making it, one must make it to the proper measure and must not exceed the measure.

A sitting mat is a cloth article used for sitting; therefore it must not be made into the three robes, must not be transferred by the purification act, must not be used as kindling wood, as grass padding, or for wiping, but may only be used by spreading it to sit upon.

When traveling on the road, it may be folded up and placed on top of the robe bag, or draped over the shoulder and carried in that way. Therefore it is said as above.

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH