Chulavagga 6.13

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

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR SECTION)

SIXTH KHANDHAKA (ON DWELLINGS AND FURNITURE)

Chapter-13.

1. Now at that time the Lord Buddha spoke in many a figure concerning the Vinaya, speaking in praise of the Vinaya, in praise of learning the Vinaya, and again and again in reference to that in praise of the venerable Upali. Then said the Bhikkhus: 'The Lord Buddha speaks (&c., down to) Upali. Come, let us learn the Vinaya under the venerable Upali.' And many Bhikkhus, senior and junior, and of medium standing, went to learn the Vinaya under the venerable Upali. The venerable Upali taught them standing, out of reverence for the senior Bhikkhus, and the senior Bhikkhus heard him standing, out of reverence for the law; and by that both the senior Bhikkhus grew weary, and the venerable Upali.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a junior Bhikkhu, when giving instruction, to sit on a seat of equal height, or higher, out of reverence for the law; and a senior Bhikkhu, when receiving instruction, to sit on a seat

of equal height, or lower, out of reverence for the law.'

2. Now at that time a. number of Bhikkhus stood around Upali, waiting for seats; and they grew weary.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to sit down together with brethren entitled to sit on seats of equal height.'

Then the Bhikkhus thought, 'How many of us are entitled to sit on seats of equal height?'

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to sit on the same seat with those who are within three years of one another in seniority.'

Now at that time a number of Bhikkhus, entitled to sit on the same seat, sat down on a couch, and broke the couch down; or sat down on a chair, and broke the chair down.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, the use of a couch, or a chair, for three persons.'

Even when three sat on the couch, or chair, it broke.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, two to sit on a couch or a chair.'

Now at that time Bhikkhus who were not entitled to seats of equal height, were afraid they would offend if they sat together on a long seat. They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to sit together on a long seat with others not entitled to sit on seats of equal height, unless they are women, or eunuchs, or hermaphrodites.'

Then the Bhikkhus thought, 'What is the limit of length which is included under the term "long seat?"'

'I allow the term "long seat" to be used, O Bhikkhus, of any seat long enough to accommodate three persons.