Upp Pc 91Sitting Mats
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nisīdana
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Nisīdana Discourse (Sitting Mat): Exposition of the Vinaya
Background
Nisīdana, a sitting mat, is one of the essential requisites in the life of traditional Buddhist monastics. The regulation on the sitting mat is recorded in the Pātimokkha and the Ubhayavinaya of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Upasampadā Pannatti section, the regulations related to mindful ordination.
This history comes from the early days of the Sangha, when the Buddha was alive. Buddhist practitioners needed suitable implements for sitting in meditation and listening to the Dharma. The sitting mat was not only a material item serving daily life, but also carried symbolic meaning concerning gentleness and diligence in practice. The regulation on the nisīdana reflects the Sangha's respect for those around them, avoiding raising dust or soiling sacred and clean places.
Main Content
According to the Pātimokkha, provisions related to the sitting mat belong to the Upasampadā Pannatti section. Specifically, this regulation concerns the personal requisites of a practitioner, those things permitted to be owned in support of practice. The sitting mat (nisīdana) is regarded as one of the eight necessary items a practitioner may keep, including clothing, alms bowl, sitting mat, rain-cover cloth, belt, water strainer, and needle.
In the context of the recited Discipline, the regulation on the sitting mat concerns maintaining purity in the act of sitting. If a practitioner sits on another person's mat without permission, or uses a sitting mat improperly, this may be regarded as disrespectful conduct. However, owning and using one's own sitting mat is encouraged in order to maintain cleanliness and order in the community of practice.
The nisīdana is usually made from natural materials such as grass fiber, straw, or biodegradable materials, reflecting the principle of non-harming and respect for nature. The thickness and size of the sitting mat are also regulated so that it is not overly luxurious, in keeping with the humble spirit of Buddhist practice.
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