Vinaya — Regras dos Monges (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga) — Making an inappropriate bed or bench

1Origin story
At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, Venerable Upananda the Sakyan was sleeping on a high bed. On one occasion, as the Buddha and a number of monks were walking about the dwellings, they came to Upananda’s dwelling. Upananda saw the Buddha coming and said to him, “Sir, please come and see my bed.” The Buddha turned around on the spot and addressed the monks: “A fool, monks, can be recognized by his sleeping place.”

2After rebuking Upananda in many ways, the Buddha spoke in dispraise of being difficult to support … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

3Final ruling
‘If a monk is having a new bed or bench made, it is to have legs eight standard fingerbreadths long below the lowest frame. If the legs exceed that, they are to be cut down, and he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

4Definitions
New:

5newly made is what is meant.

6A bed:

7there are four kinds of beds: one with legs and frame, called <i lang='pi' translate='no'>masāraka</i>; one with legs and frame, called <i lang='pi' translate='no'>bundikābaddha</i>; one with crooked legs; one with detachable legs.

8A bench:

9there are four kinds of benches: one with legs and frame, called <i lang='pi' translate='no'>masāraka</i>; one with legs and frame, called <i lang='pi' translate='no'>bundikābaddha</i>; one with crooked legs; one with detachable legs.

10Is having made:

11making it himself or having it made.

12It is to have legs eight standard fingerbreadths long below the lowest frame:

13apart from the lowest frame. If he makes one, or has one made, that exceeds that, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct. When he gets it, the legs are to be cut down, and he is then to confess an offense entailing confession.

14Permutations
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.

15If he makes one or has one made for the benefit of someone else, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

16If he gets one that was made by someone else and then uses it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

17Non-offenses
There is no offense: if he makes it the right height; if he makes it lower than the right height; if he gets one made by another that exceeds the right height and then cuts the legs down before using it; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

18The training rule on making an inappropriate bed or bench, the fifth, is finished.