Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 89Robe Size

– MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

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

89. RULE: MAKING A ROBE EXCEEDING THE SIZE OF THE BUDDHA'S ROBE

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Rājagṛha, as described in full above. At that time the bhikkhus wore robes leaving the fringes of the cloth intact. The non-Buddhist ascetics also wore robes leaving the fringes intact.

Then an upāsaka who wished to pay homage to a bhikkhu accidentally paid homage to a non-Buddhist ascetic instead; only when he heard an unfamiliar benediction did he realize it was not a bhikkhu, and he felt embarrassed. Conversely, a disciple of the non-Buddhist ascetics who wished to pay homage to his own teacher accidentally paid homage to a bhikkhu instead; such mutual confusions arose in this way. The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One.

The Buddha immediately instructed: "From this time forward, bhikkhus must cut off the fringes of their robes as a means of purification, and dye them as a means of purification."

The non-Buddhist ascetics, wishing to distinguish themselves from the bhikkhus, dyed their robes with red ochre and red mineral pigment, and carried staffs with three joints and small water vessels.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, bhikkhus living in remote wilderness areas who received Kośiya robes and wished to wear them would dye them using colors, as described above in the three types of dye used for robes.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Vaiśālī, bhikkhus who received Kambala robes acted likewise, as described above.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, the Venerable Sundarananda, who was the son of the Buddha's maternal aunt and bore thirty marks of distinction, was going out from the city of Śrāvastī after a meal, with Ānanda following behind — as described above in the matter of the three robe colors.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, the Venerable Alakajunda made his own robe according to the size of the Buddha's robe, and then wore it while entering the city of Śrāvastī. This bhikkhu was short in stature yet his robe was long, so he dragged the robe along the ground as he walked; consequently, people mocked him, saying: "A Śramaṇa of the Śākya sons is dragging his robe as he walks." Others taunted: "Do you not know? The robe of the Śramaṇa Gautama was not made by his own parents, but was gathered from what others had discarded — that is why it is like this."

The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha ordered Alakajunda to be summoned. When he had come, the Buddha asked him about the matter:

—Is this indeed what occurred?

—It is truly so, Blessed One.

—From this time forward, one should make one's robe according to the size of one's own body.

Then the Buddha commanded the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to all assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down the following rule for the bhikkhus — and even those who have heard it before must hear it again:

"When a bhikkhu makes a robe, he must base it upon the size of the Tathāgata's robe; if he makes it exceeding the size, he must cut it down and then confess the Pācittiya offense. The size of the Tathāgata's robe is nine sugata-spans in length and six sugata-spans in width. This is called the size of the Tathāgata's robe."

Explanation

(Certain matters have been explained above.)

Pācittiya: As stated above.

If one makes it oneself or has another make it, and the length is within the correct size but the width exceeds the correct size, then upon completing the making one incurs a Pācittiya offense; upon using it one incurs a Vinaya transgression.

If one makes it oneself or has another make it, and the width is within the correct size but the length exceeds the correct size; or the middle is within the correct size but the border exceeds it; or the border is within the correct size but the middle exceeds it; or one folds it, rolls it up, soaks it in water and then dries it in the sun, yet it is still excessive in length and width — upon completing the making one incurs a Pācittiya offense; upon using it one incurs a Vinaya transgression. When making a robe, one should make it smaller than the prescribed size; one must not make it exceeding the prescribed size, and one must make it according to the size of one's own body.

The Saṅghāṭī robe has three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The upper grade: five cubits in length, three cubits in width. The middle grade: five cubits in length less one unexpanded handspan; three cubits in width less one unexpanded handspan. The lower grade: four and a half cubits in length, three cubits in width less one unexpanded handspan. When putting on the robe, one spreads it using two fingers extended.

The Uttarāsaṅga robe has three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The upper grade: five cubits in length, three cubits in width. The middle grade: five cubits in length less one unexpanded handspan; three cubits in width less one unexpanded handspan. The lower grade: four and a half cubits in length, three cubits in width less one unexpanded handspan.

The Antaravāsaka robe also has three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The upper grade: five cubits in length, three cubits in width. The middle grade: five cubits in length less one unexpanded handspan; three cubits in width less one unexpanded handspan. The lower grade: four and a half cubits in length, three cubits in width less one unexpanded handspan.

Finally, down to the Parīmaṇḍala covering, the skirt, and so forth. Therefore it is said (as above).

MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

End of Volume Twenty.

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

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH