Lzh Mi Bu Pm Np 25A Sitting-Blanket

Explanation of the Nisīdanasanthata Sutta (The Sutta on the Sitting Mat)

Background

The Nisīdanasanthata Sutta is drawn from the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the section concerning the daily requisites of the bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the first normative collection established under the guidance of the Buddha Gotama, intended to maintain discipline and harmony within the Sangha.

This sutta records regulations concerning the sitting mat (nisīdana), an essential item in the life of practice. The origin of this rule has a concrete background: in the early days of the Buddha Dharma, some bhikkhus used the sitting mat in an improper or disorderly way, leading to conflicts or carelessness. Therefore the Buddha taught clear rules for managing and using this item, reflecting a basic principle: all regulations in the Vinaya arose to serve the long-lasting welfare of the Buddha Dharma (paramattha).

Main Content

The Nisīdanasanthata Sutta regulates the proper size, material, and use of the sitting mat for bhikkhus. In the Theravāda tradition, such details about this item are not minor matters; they reflect mindfulness and do not reject reasonable practical comforts.

The sitting mat (nisīdana) serves many purposes: protecting the body from dampness when sitting on the ground, maintaining cleanliness, and creating a respectful space for meditation practice. This sutta states that the mat should have an appropriate size, not too large so as to avoid waste, and not too small so as to lose its usefulness. In particular, the rule emphasizes orderliness and modesty, corresponding to the simple way of life of the bhikkhus.

The Vinaya Pitaka also states that the mat should be carefully protected and not neglected or allowed to become damaged. If the mat is torn, the bhikkhu should repair or replace it in good time.