Vinaya — Regras dos Monges (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga) — Making an oversize sitting mat

1First substory
At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, he allowed sitting mats for the monks. Knowing this, the monks from the group of six used sitting mats that were inappropriate in size. The sitting mats hung down from beds and benches, both in front and behind.

2The monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, “How can the monks from the group of six use such sitting mats?” … “Is it true, monks, that you do this?”

3“It’s true, sir.”

4The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

5Preliminary ruling
‘If a monk is having a sitting mat made, it is to be made the right size. This is the right size: two standard handspans long and one-and-a-half wide. If it exceeds that, it is to be cut down, and he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

6In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

7Second substory
At that time there was a big monk called Venerable Udāyī. After putting out his sitting mat in front of the Buddha, he stretched it on all sides before sitting down. The Buddha asked him, “Udāyī, why are you stretching the sitting mat on all sides, as if an old hide?”

8“Because, sir, the sitting mat you’ve allowed for the monks is too small.”

9Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

10“Monks, I allow a border of one handspan for the sitting mat.

11And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

12Final ruling
‘If a monk is having a sitting mat made, it should be made the right size. This is the right size: two standard handspans long and one-and-a-half wide, and a border of one handspan. If it exceeds that, it is to be cut down, and he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

13Definitions
A sitting mat:

14one with a border is what is meant.

15Is having made:

16making it himself or having it made, it should be made the right size. This is the right size: two standard handspans long and one-and-a-half wide, and a border of one handspan. 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, it is to be cut down, and he is then to confess an offense entailing confession.

17Permutations
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.

18If 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.

19Non-offenses
There is no offense: if he makes it the right size; if he makes it smaller than the right size; if he gets one made by another that exceeds the right size and then cuts it down before using it; if he makes a canopy, a floor cover, a cloth screen, a mattress, or a pillow; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

20The training rule on making an oversize sitting mat, the seventh, is finished.