Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on precious things

91. The training rule on the rainy-season robe

Origin story

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

he allowed rainy-season robes for the monks.

Knowing this, the monks from the group of six wore rainy-season robes 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 rainy-season robes?” …

“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 a rainy-season robe made, it should be made the right size.

This is the right size: six standard handspans long and two-and-a-half wide.

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

Definitions

A rainy-season robe:

it is for use during the four months of the rainy season.

Is having made:

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

This is the right size: six standard handspans long and two and a half 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 the rainy-season robe, the ninth, is finished.