Mahavagga 8.14

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Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

MAHAVAGGA

EIGHTH KHANDHAKA (THE DRESS OF THE BHIKKHUS)

Chapter-14.

1. Now when the Lord Buddha had remained at Veshali as long as he thought fit, he went onwards on his journey towards Benares. And in due course he arrived at Benares, and there, at Benares, he stayed in the hermitage in the Migadaya.

Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu's under robe was torn. And that Bhikkhu(Monk) thought: 'The Lord Buddha has ordained the use of three robes, a double waist cloth, and a single upper robe, and a single under-garment, and this under-garment of mine is torn. What if I were to insert a slip of cloth so that the robe shall be double all round and single in the middle.'

2. So that Bhikkhu inserted a slip of cloth. And the Lord Buddha on his way round the sleeping apartments saw him doing so, went up to the place where he was, and said to him:

'What are you doing, O Bhikkhu?'

'I am inserting a slip of cloth, Lord.'

'That is very good, O Bhikkhu. It is quite right of you, O Bhikkhu, to insert a slip of cloth.'

And the Lord Buddha on that occasion, when he had delivered a dhamma discourse, addressed the Bhikkhus(Monks), and said:

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to use a double waist cloth, and a single upper robe, and a single under-garment, of cloths which are new, or as good as new; and the use of a fourfold waist cloth, and of a double upper robe, and of a double under robe of cloth which has been worn for a long time. You are to make endeavour to get sufficient material from rags taken from the dust-heap, or from bits picked up in the bazaar. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, slips of cloth inserted bolt-like to hold a torn robe

together, patches, darns, and small pieces of cloth sewn on by way of marking, or of strengthening the robe.'