San Lo Bi Vb Pc 15Leaving Bedding Outside

The Text on Leaving Bedding Outside

Explanation of Seyyasanthārana (San Lo Bi Vb Pc 15)

Background

This rule is recorded in the Sutta Vibhaṅga of the Pātimokkha, belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the discipline of Theravāda Buddha Dharma. Seyyasanthārana is listed among actions that give rise to a Pācittiya offense, that is, an offense requiring confession and correction.

This text arose from concrete situations in the Sangha and nuns’ community, when monastics lacked vigilance in managing daily requisites such as bedding. From the time of the Buddha, maintaining discipline in practice concerned not only gross actions but also a simple, unadorned way of life and respect for communal property. The rule concerning leaving bedding outside reflects a deep principle: renunciants should be frugal and upright, not ostentatious, and should not let monastic requisites be damaged or worn out through negligence.

Main Content

The Seyyasanthārana rule prescribes that bhikkhunīs, or bhikkhus, should not leave sleeping requisites such as blankets, mattresses, pillows, or spreads outside a room (vihāra) or dwelling without proper supervision. More specifically, this action includes intentionally leaving these items outdoors for a long time, especially in the rainy season, when they can easily become damp, moldy, or damaged.

The offense arises when a bhikkhunī or bhikkhu leaves these items outside not for legitimate reasons, such as drying them after washing, but simply because of carelessness or forgetfulness. This is regarded as irresponsible toward the property of the Sangha, requisites provided to support practice, not to be wasted.

According to the Vinaya, when this rule is violated, the monastic must confess the offense before the Sangha or an elder, perform sincere confession (pabbājana), and commit not to repeat it. The penalty is not expulsion, but an educational means to train mindfulness (sati) and wisdom (paññā).