Upp Pc 87Beds and Benches
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mañcapīṭha
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DISCOURSE ON BEDS AND SEATS
Exposition of Mañcapīṭha (Upp Pc 87)
Background
The Mañcapīṭha discourse is found in the Pātimokkha rules section of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. In the Vinaya texts, this section deals with matters concerning property and the daily life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.
The discourse speaks about beds (mañca) and seats (pīṭha) used by bhikkhus in monasteries. This is not a trivial matter, because the Buddha-Dharma emphasizes moderation in the use of material things. High and comfortable beds and seats can become means for attachment, desire, and obstruction to the path of practice leading toward awakening.
The historical background of this rule is that the Buddha saw that his disciples, while developing the monastic community, tended to use luxurious objects and forgot the spirit of austerity (dukkha-caraṇa) that a bhikkhu should pursue.
Main Content
The discourse states that bhikkhus must not use beds and seats whose height exceeds certain standards. Specifically, the standard length is eight finger-breadths (aṭṭhaṅgulaṃ), with corresponding width. The height of the bed legs must not exceed three measures (tiguṇaṃ).
This rule applies to all kinds of sleeping beds and seats that a bhikkhu owns or uses. If an item exceeds the prescribed limit, the bhikkhu commits a pācittiya offense, that is, a fault requiring confession before the Sangha.
The important point is that this rule does not include high beds used for medical treatment (roganiddāna). If a bhikkhu is sick, he is permitted to use a higher bed to support recovery. This is a sign of balance in the Buddha-Dharma: the rule is not absolutely rigid, but takes practical circumstances into account.
Practical Meaning
Although the Mañcapīṭha discourse is focused on material details, it has a deep purpose on the path of practice.
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