Mahavagga 8.11

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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-11.

1. At that time the Bhikkhus spread the cloth on the floor (when they had dyed it); the cloth became dusty.

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you spread grass (and put the cloth on it).'

The grass they had spread was eaten by white ants. They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you get a bambu peg or rope to hang the cloth on.'

They hung it up in the middle; the dye dropped down on both sides.

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you tie it fast at the corner.'

The corner wore out.

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, the use of a clothes-line.'

The dye dropped down on one side.

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you turn the cloth, when dying it, whenever required, and that you do not go away before the dye has ceased to drop.'

2. At that time the cloth had become stiff. They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you clip (the cloth) into water (in order to remove the excessive dye).' At that time the cloth became rough.

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, (that you smooth it by) beating it with your hands.'

At that time the Bhikkhus possessed akkhinnaka robes of yellowish colour like ivory. The people were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: '(The Bhikkhus dress) like those who still live in the pleasures of the world.'

They told this thing to the Lord Buddha.

'You ought not, O Bhikkhus, to possess akkhinnaka robes. He who does, commits a dukkata offence.'