Lzh Mu Bu Pm Pc 89Sitting Mats

SUTTA ON REGULATED SITTING MATS

Background

The Nisīdana Sutta (sitting mat) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pāṭimokkha and supplementary regulations of the Sangha Vinaya, such as the Saṁyutta Bhikkhunī Vinaya or Bhikkhunī Pāṭimokkha. Every discipline in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition maintains regulations concerning the daily requisites of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.

This discourse reflects the historical context when the Buddha was alive and the Sangha was just forming basic rules. Matters that seem small, such as the use of mats, cushions, or materials for sitting, reflect a profound philosophy of discipline (sīla): every action can lead either to suffering or to liberation depending on mental intention and purpose.

In the history of the Sangha, small disputes about the use of mats led to misunderstandings among Dharma friends. Therefore, the Buddha issued specific regulations to maintain harmony, share communal resources fairly, and remove desires of possession (taṇhā).

Main Content

Nisīdana refers to mats, cushions, or pads used by bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs for seated meditation or daily activities in the monastery. The discourse clearly states these principles:

First, these mats are common property of the Sangha (Saṅgha), not personal possessions. Practitioners are not permitted to appropriate them for themselves, create distinctive personal marks, or compete for better mats than others. This is a way to train equality (samatā) and remove craving for form (rūpa-taṇhā).

Second, care for the mats must be carried out reasonably. If a mat is damaged or worn out, it should be replaced or repaired according to the proper procedure, without waste or deliberate damage to the property of the Saṅgha.