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– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

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

87. RULE: SEWING A SCAB-COVERING ROBE BEYOND THE PRESCRIBED MEASURE.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. For five reasons the Blessed One would make an inspection tour of the monks' dwellings once every five days. He saw robes stained heavily with blood and pus from scabies that were being dried in the sun. Although he knew, the Buddha still asked the monks:

—Whose robes are so filthy like this?

—Blessed One, because the monks are afflicted with scabies, their robes have become so dirty.

—From now on, I permit the monks to sew scab-covering robes.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, the Blessed One had permitted the sewing of scab-covering robes, but the monks did not cut off the fringe edges of the cloth and sewed them as they were. For five reasons the Blessed One would make an inspection tour of the monks' dwellings once every five days; he saw the scab-covering robes that had been sewn with fringed edges, stained heavily with blood and pus, drying out in the sun. Although he knew, the Buddha still asked the monks:

—Whose robes have been sewn with the fringe still on them, and are so filthy like this?

—Blessed One, when the Blessed One permitted the sewing of scab-covering robes, the monks sewed them leaving all the fringe intact, and so they became stained with blood and pus and are dirty in that way.

—Why did you leave the fringe on the cloth when sewing the scab-covering robes? From now on, scab-covering robes must be sewn according to the prescribed measure.

Then the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling at Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for ten benefits he laid down a rule for the monks, which even those who have already heard it must hear again:

"If a monk sews a scab-covering robe, he must sew it according to the prescribed measure: four handspans of Sugata in length and two and a half handspans in width. If he sews it beyond the measure, he must cut it down and then confess the Pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Scab-covering robe: The Blessed One permits it to be sewn according to the length and width of the Sugata handspan, as stated above. If it exceeds the measure, it must be cut down, and then the Pācittiya offense is to be confessed. If one confesses without cutting it down, one incurs a Dukkaṭa offense.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

If one sews it oneself or has another sew it, and the length is within measure but the width exceeds the measure, or the width is within measure but the length exceeds the measure, or the middle is within measure but the edges exceed the measure, or the edges are within measure but the middle exceeds the measure—then when the sewing is completed one incurs a Pācittiya offense; when using it one incurs a Dukkaṭa offense.

If one folds it and measures, folds it again and measures, dampens it and measures, then dries it in the sun and it is still too long and wide, then upon completion one incurs a Pācittiya offense; when using it one incurs a Dukkaṭa offense. Therefore one must make it exactly according to the prescribed measure.

The scab-covering robe and the personal robe may not be used as the three robes, may not be given over by determination, and may not be used to wrap firewood or grass, nor to wipe things clean. When wishing to enter a village, one should first put on the scab-covering robe and then the saṃghāṭi over it, and fasten it securely. Upon returning, one should remove the saṃghāṭi, shake it out, fold it, and put it away in its place, but the scab-covering robe should not be removed—if it is removed, the scabs will be torn off and will bleed.

One should soak in water, but not in the bathing place commonly used by the community of monks; rather, one should soak in a secluded place. After the robe has been soaked through, one removes it and washes it clean. When bathing is finished, one may use it to dry oneself.

The manner of daily use is likewise. When the scabs have healed, it may be used as one of the three robes and given over by determination, except for continued use in its original purpose. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHĀDRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH