Chulavagga 5.1

Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Khandhaka >> Chulavagga >> Fifth Khandaka >> 5.1

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

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR SECTION)

FIFTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE DAILY LIFE OF THE BHIKKHUS)

Chapter-1.

1. Now at that time the Lord Buddha was staying at Rajagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, in the Kalandaka Nivapa. And at that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus, when bathing, used to rub their bodies--thighs, and arms, and breast, and back--against wood. The people were annoyed, murmured, and became indignant, saying, 'How can the Sakyaputtiya Samanas(monks) do so, like wrestlers, boxers, or shampooers?' The Bhikkhus heard the people so murmuring, &c.; and they told the matter to the Lord Buddha.

Then the Lord Buddha, on that occasion and in that connection, having convened a meeting of the Bhikkhu-sangha, asked the Bhikkhus: 'Is this true, O Bhikkhus, what they say, that the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus, when bathing, rub (&c., as before)?'

'It is true, Lord.'

The Great Buddha rebuked them, saying, 'This is improper, O Bhikkhus (&c., as usual, see I, 1, 2, down to the end).' And when he had rebuked them, and had delivered a dhamma discourse, he addressed the Bhikkhus, and said: 'A Bhikkhu, when bathing, is not, O Bhikkhus, to rub his body against wood. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'

2. Now at that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus: when bathing, used to rub their bodies--thighs, and arms, and breast, and back--against a pillar--against a wall (&c., as in last section, down to the end).

3. Now at that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus used to bathe on an Attana (a sort of shampooing stand). The people (&c., as before). The Bhikkhus (&c., as before). Then the Lord Buddha (&c., as before, down to) addressed the Bhikkhus, and said: 'You are not to bathe, O Bhikkhus, on an Attana. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'

[Paragraphs similar in every respect to the last follow as to

Using a Gandhabba-hatthaka when bathing.

Using a Kuruvindaka-sutti when bathing.

Rubbing their bodies, when under water, up against each other.

Using a Mallaka when bathing.]

4. Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu(Monk) had the scab, and he could not bathe with comfort without a Mallaka.

They told the matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, to a sick man the use of a Mallaka not (artificially) made.'

5. Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu who was weak through old age was not able to shampoo his own body.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the use of an Ukkasika.

Now at that time the Bhikkhus, (fearing to offend against these rules,) were afraid to shampoo one another.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the ordinary mode of shampooing with the hand.'