Xct Mu Bu Pm Pc 87Sitting Mats

Nisīdana Sutta (The Mat Sutta)

Background

The Nisīdana Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Parivāra, the final section concerning the rules of life for the Buddhist Sangha. This discourse arose from concrete situations in monastic life during the time of the Buddha, when practical matters concerning the living requisites of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs needed to be regulated by the Buddhist discipline.

Nisīdana means “seat” or “mat,” referring to the kinds of seats, mats, cushions, and backrests used by monastics in daily life. In the Buddha’s time, bhikkhus lived in simple conditions, mainly in forests or small monasteries. Matters concerning bedding were not issues of luxury, but were directly related to reasonable comfort, the discipline of the Sangha, and the practice of settled concentration (samādhi).

Main Content

The Nisīdana Sutta gives detailed regulations concerning the kinds of mats and seats monastics are permitted to use. According to the early Vinaya, a bhikkhu was permitted to possess essential requisites, including three robes, one bowl, and other basic articles. With regard to bedding, the Buddha allowed monastics to use mats of certain thicknesses and heights, so as to avoid excessive comfort leading to heedlessness, while still providing enough protection for minimum health.

This rule reflects a principle of the middle way (majjhima paṭipadā): neither tormenting the body excessively nor falling into excessive comfort. Mats and seats are classified by material and size: seats below eight aṅgulas in height, seats from eight to sixteen aṅgulas, and seats higher than sixteen aṅgulas. Mats that are too lavish or luxurious are considered contrary to the principle of humility, while choices that are too austere hinder practice.

The discourse also sets out exceptional cases, such as when a monastic is ill or in special circumstances, in which more comfortable mats may be permitted.