Vinaya — Regras dos Monges (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga) — Sitting down on an upper story

1Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time two monks were staying in a dwelling with an upper story belonging to the Sangha, one staying below and one above. The monk above sat down hastily on a bed with detachable legs. A leg fell off and hit the monk below on the head. He cried out. Monks rushed up and asked him why, and he told them what had happened.

2The monks of few desires complained and criticized him,

3“How could a monk sit down hastily on a bed with detachable legs on an upper story in a dwelling belonging to the Sangha?”

4After rebuking that monk in many ways, they told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monk, that you did this?”

5“It’s true, sir.”

6The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, how could you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

7Final ruling
‘If a monk sits down or lies down on a bed or a bench with detachable legs on an upper story in a dwelling belonging to the Sangha, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

8Definitions
A:

9whoever …

10Monk:

11…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.

12A dwelling belonging to the Sangha:

13given to the Sangha, given up to the Sangha.

14An upper story:

15a man of average height does not hit his head.

16A bed with detachable legs:

17it stands after inserting the limbs.

18A bench with detachable legs:

19it stands after inserting the limbs.

20Sits down:

21if he sits down on it, he commits an offense entailing confession.

22Lies down:

23if he lies down on it, he commits an offense entailing confession.

24Permutations
If it belongs to the Sangha, and he perceives it as such, and he sits down or lies down on a bed or a bench with detachable legs on an upper story, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it belongs to the Sangha, but he is unsure of it … If it belongs to the Sangha, but he perceives it as belonging to an individual, and he sits down or lies down on a bed or a bench with detachable legs on an upper story, he commits an offense entailing confession.

25If it belongs to an individual, but he perceives it as belonging to the Sangha, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it belongs to an individual, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it belongs to an individual, and he perceives it as such, but that individual is not himself, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it belongs to himself, there is no offense.

26Non-offenses
There is no offense: if there is no upper story; if the upper story is so low that one hits the head; if the lower story is not in use; if the upper story has floorboards; if the legs are fastened by bolts; if he stands on it to get hold of something or to put something up; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

27The training rule on sitting down on an upper story, the eighth, is finished.