Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on precious things

90. The training rule on itch covers

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,

he allowed itch-covering cloths for the monks.

Knowing this, the monks from the group of six wore itch covers that were inappropriate in size.

As they were walking about, they were dragging them along, both in front and behind.

The monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks,

“How can the monks from the group of six wear such itch covers?” …

“Is it true, monks, that you do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The 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:

Final ruling

‘If a monk is having an itch-covering cloth made, it should be made the right size.

This is the right size: four standard handspans long and two wide.

If it exceeds that, it is to be cut down, and he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

An itch-covering cloth:

it is for the purpose of covering an itch or a boil or a running sore or a carbuncle, below the navel and above the knees.

Is having made:

making it himself or having it made, it should be made the right size.

This is the right size: four standard handspans long and two wide.

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.

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 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.

The training rule on itch covers, the eighth, is finished.