Mahavagga 8.21

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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-21.

1. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'What is the limit for the size of a robe up to which it ought to be handed over to another Bhikkhu?'

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, to hand over any robe which is in length eight inches according to the accepted inch.'

Now at that time a robe belonging to the venerable Maha Kassapa, which had been made of cast-off pieces of cloth became heavy (by reason of the weight of the new pieces tacked on to it).

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to darn it roughly together with thread.'

It was uneven at the end.

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to remove the unevenness.'

The threads frayed out.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to put a braiding or a binding along or round (the edge):

Now at that time the ribbons of the under garment gave way.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to make an eight-footed. . . .'

2. Now at that time when a set of robes was being made for a certain Bhikkhu(Monk) it was impossible to make it entirely from torn pieces of cloth.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus(Monks), to have two of the robes made of torn pieces of cloth, and one of cloth not torn.'

It was impossible to make two of the robes of torn pieces of cloth, and one of cloth not torn.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to make two robes

(out of the set) of untorn pieces, and one of torn pieces.'

Even this was impossible.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to make (each robe out of the set) half (from torn pieces) and half (from untorn pieces). But a set of robes made entirely from untorn pieces is not to be worn. Whosoever shall wear (a set of robes so made) is guilty of a dukkata.'