Mahavagga 8.28

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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-28.

1. Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu came naked up to the place where the Lord Buddha was, and said:

'The Lord Buddha, Lord, has praised in many ways the moderate man and the contented who has eradicated (evil), who has shaken off his passions, who is gracious, reverent, energetic. Now this nakedness, Lord, is in many ways effectual to moderation and content, to the eradication of evil, to the suppressions of the passions, to graciousness, reverence, and zeal. It were well, Lord, if the Lord Buddha would enjoin nakedness upon the Bhikkhus.'

The Great Buddha rebuked him, saying, 'This would be improper, O foolish one, crooked, unsuitable, unworthy of a Samana, unbecoming, and it ought not to be done. How can you, O foolish one, adopt nakedness as the Titthiyas do? This will not conduce, O foolish one, to the conversion of the unconverted.'

And when he had rebuked him, and had delivered a dhamma discourse, he addressed the Bhikkhus, and said:

'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to adopt nakedness, as the Titthiyas do. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a grave offence (Thulakaya).'

2. [The whole -section repeated respectively in the case of a Bhikkhu clad in a garment of grass, clad in a garment of bark, clad in a garment of phalaka cloth, clad in a garment of hair, clad in the skin of a wild animal, clad in the feathers of an owl, clad in antelope skins (with the hoofs left on). But instead of 'adopt nakedness as the Titthiyas do' substitute respectively 'wear a garment of grass, &c., which is the symbol the Titthiyas use.']

3. Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu came up to the place where the Lord Buddha was, clad in cloth made of the stalks of the akka plant.

[All as before in §-1, down to:]

And when he had rebuked him, and had delivered a dhamma discourse, he addressed the Bhikkhus, and said:

'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to dress yourselves in the stalks of the akka plant. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'

[§-3 is then repeated of a Bhikkhu clad in cloth made of the makaki fibre.]