Bu Pc 8888. Making an upholstered bed or bench

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on precious things 88. Making an upholstered bed or bench

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the monks from the group of six had beds and benches made upholstered with cotton down. When people walking about the dwellings saw this, they complained and criticized those monks, “How can the Sakyan monastics have beds and benches made upholstered with cotton down? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”

The monks heard the complaints of those people, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, “How could the monks from the group of six do this?” … “Is it true, monks, that you did this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how could you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

‘If a monk has a bed or a bench made upholstered with cotton down, it is to be stripped, and he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.

A bed: there are four kinds of beds: one with legs and frame, called masāraka; one with legs and frame, called bundikābaddha; one with crooked legs; one with detachable legs. A bench: there are four kinds of benches: one with legs and frame, called masāraka; one with legs and frame, called bundikābaddha; one with crooked legs; one with detachable legs. Cotton down: there are three kinds of cotton down: cotton down from trees, cotton down from creepers, cotton down from grass.

Has made: if he makes one or has one made, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct. When he gets it, it is to be stripped, and he is then to confess an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If he finishes what he began himself, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he has others finish what he began himself, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he finishes himself what was begun by others, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he has others finish what was begun by others, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If he makes one or has one made for the benefit of someone else, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he gets one that was made by someone else and then uses it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if it is for a back-and-knee strap; if it is for a belt; if it is for a shoulder strap; if it is for a bowl bag; if it is for a water filter; if he is making a pillow; if he gets one made by another and then strips it before using it; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The training rule on making an upholstered bed or bench, the sixth, is finished.