English
and has others finish it, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and expiation. If others begin it and one finishes it oneself, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and expiation. If others begin it and others finish it, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and expiation. If one makes it or has it made for another's sake, there is an offense of wrong-doing. If one acquires and uses something made by another, there is an offense of wrong-doing. No offense if he makes a canopy, or a ground covering, or a screen, or a cushion, or a pillow; for a mad person; for the first offender. The first training rule concerning silk is finished. 2. The training rule concerning pure black. At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling in Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the Gabled Hall. Now at that time the group of six monks had a rug made of pure black sheep's wool. People wandering around the monastery, having seen it, complained, grumbled, and criticized – ‘‘How can it be that these Sakyan ascetics have a rug made of pure black sheep's wool, just like householders who indulge in sensual pleasures!’’ The monks heard those people complaining, grumbling, and criticizing. Those monks who were of few wishes… they complained, grumbled, and criticized – ‘‘How can it be that the group of six monks have a rug made of pure black sheep's wool!’’ Then those monks, having criticized the group of six monks in various ways, reported the matter to the Blessed One… ‘‘Is it true, monks, that you had a rug made of pure black sheep's wool?’’ ‘‘It is true, Blessed One.’’ The Buddha, the Blessed One, criticized… ‘‘How can it be, foolish men, that you have a rug made of pure black sheep's wool! This, foolish men, is not for the conviction of the unconvinced… And thus, monks, you should recite this training rule – ‘‘Whatever monk has a rug made of pure black sheep's wool, there is an offense of relinquishment and expiation.’’ Whatever means whoever, of whatever kind… monk means… in this context, 'monk' is intended. Black means two kinds of black – either naturally black or dyed black. A rug means it is made by spreading out, not woven. Has made means either makes himself or has it made. There is an offense of wrong-doing in the attempt. With its acquisition, there is an offense of relinquishment. It should be relinquished to the Sangha, or to a group, or to an individual. And thus, monks, it should be relinquished... "This rug of pure black sheep's wool, venerable sir, made by me, is subject to relinquishment. I relinquish this to the Sangha..." ...should give... ...should give... ...I give to the venerable one. 550. One begins it oneself, one finishes it oneself: an offense of relinquishment. One begins it oneself, others finish it: an offense of relinquishment. Others begin it, one finishes it oneself: an offense of relinquishment. Others begin it, others finish it: an offense of relinquishment. One makes it or has it made for another's sake: an offense of wrong-doing. One receives and uses what was made by another: an offense of wrong-doing. 551. No offense if one makes a canopy, or a floor covering, or a screen, or a cushion, or a pillow. No offense for one who is insane, or for the first offender. The training rule concerning pure black is finished, the second. 3. The training rule concerning two parts. 552. At that time, the Buddha, the Blessed One, was staying at Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time, the group of six monks— thinking, "The Blessed One has forbidden having rugs of pure black sheep's wool made"— they took just a little white [wool] for the edges, and had rugs made just like pure black sheep's wool. Those monks who were of few desires... they complained, grumbled, and criticized: "How can the group of six monks, taking just a little white [wool] for the edges, have rugs made just like pure black sheep's wool?!" Then those monks, having criticized the group of six monks in many ways, reported the matter to the Blessed One... "Is it true, monks, that you, taking just a little white [wool] for the edges, had rugs made just like pure black sheep's wool?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, criticized them... ... How can it be, you foolish men, that having taken only a little white at the edges, you have a rug made entirely of pure black sheep's wool! This, you foolish men, is not for the faith of the unfaithful... And thus, monks, you should recite this training rule: 553. Now, by a bhikkhu having a new rug made, two parts of pure black sheep's wool should be taken, a third part of white, and a fourth part of mixed colors. If a bhikkhu, without taking two parts of pure black sheep's wool, a third part of white, and a fourth part of mixed colors, has a new rug made, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. 554. "New" means it is called so with reference to its making. "Rug" means it is made by spreading out, not woven. "Having it made" means making it oneself or having it made by others. "Two parts of pure black sheep's wool should be taken" means two measures (weights) should be taken. "A third part of white" means one measure of white. "A fourth part of mixed colors" means one measure of mixed colors. "If a bhikkhu, without taking two parts of pure black sheep's wool, a third part of white, and a fourth part of mixed colors" means: Without taking two measures of pure black sheep's wool, one measure of white, and one measure of mixed colors, if he makes a new rug or has one made, there is an offense of wrong-doing in the attempt, and it becomes an offense entailing relinquishment upon acquisition. It should be relinquished to the Sangha, or to a group, or to an individual. And thus, monks, it should be relinquished... "Venerable sir, this rug of mine, made without taking two measures of pure black sheep's wool, one measure of white, and one measure of mixed colors, is subject to relinquishment. I relinquish this to the Sangha"... "may he give"... "may they give"... "I give to the venerable one." 555. If one begins it oneself and finishes it oneself, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. If one begins it oneself and has it finished by others, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. If it is begun by others and one finishes it oneself, it is an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. If it is begun by others and finished by others... What was not done by others, he finishes; an offense of relinquishment and expiation. For another's sake he makes or causes to be made, an offense of wrong-doing. Having received what was made by another, he uses it, an offense of wrong-doing. 556. No offense if, having taken an equal amount of white (wool) and an equal amount of alms-wool, he makes (it); if, having taken more white (wool) and more alms-wool, he makes (it); if, having taken only white (wool) and only alms-wool, he makes (it); if he makes a canopy, or a ground-covering, or a screen, or a cushion, or a pillow; for one who is insane; for the first offender. The training rule concerning two parts, the third, is finished. 4. The training rule concerning six years 557. At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was staying at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the bhikkhus had a rug made every year. They lived full of requests, full of entreaties— "Give us sheep's wool. We need sheep's wool." People complained, grumbled, and criticized— "How can these Sakyan recluses have a rug made every year, living full of requests, full of entreaties— 'Give us sheep's wool, we need sheep's wool!' Our rugs, once made, last five or six years, even though our children vomit and urinate on them, and mice gnaw at them. Yet these Sakyan recluses have a rug made every year, living full of requests, full of entreaties— 'Give us sheep's wool, we need sheep's wool!'" The bhikkhus heard those people complaining, grumbling, and criticizing. Those bhikkhus who were of few desires… they complained, grumbled, and criticized— "How can bhikkhus have a rug made every year, living full of requests, full of entreaties— 'Give us sheep's wool, we need sheep's wool!'" Then those bhikkhus, having criticized them in many ways, reported the matter to the Blessed One… (Is it) true? Is it true, monks, that the monks have a new rug made every year, and live importuning much, begging much: ‘Give us sheep’s wool! We need sheep’s wool!’? “It is true, Blessed One.” The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them… How can these foolish men, monks, have a new rug made every year, and live importuning much, begging much: ‘Give us sheep’s wool! We need sheep’s wool!’? This, monks, is not for the conversion of the unconverted… And thus, monks, you should recite this training rule: 558. “A monk, having had a new rug made, should keep it for six years. If, within six years, having discarded that rug, or without having discarded it, he has another new rug made, it is an offense of relinquishment entailing expiation.” Thus this training rule was laid down by the Blessed One for the monks. 559. Now at that time a certain monk in Kosambi was ill. His relatives sent a messenger to that monk: “Come, venerable sir, we will attend to you.” The monks also said: “Go, friend, your relatives will attend to you.” He said this: “The Blessed One, friends, has laid down a training rule: ‘A monk, having had a new rug made, should keep it for six years.’ And I am ill, I cannot take the rug and depart. And without the rug, I am not comfortable. I will not go.” They reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, on account of this cause, on account of this incident, gave a Dhamma talk and addressed the monks: “I allow, monks, to grant a rug-exemption to an ill monk. And thus, monks, it should be granted. That ill monk, having approached the Sangha,