Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Mahavagga >> Fifth Khandaka >> 5.7
Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
<<<< Previous(5.6) | Next(5.8) >>>>
THE MAHAVAGGA
FIFTH KHANDHAKA(RULES FOR FOOT-CLOTHING, SEATS, VEHICLES, ETC.)
Chapter-7 : Not to Use Shoes Made of Palm or Bamboo Leaves.
1. Now when the Lord Buddha had remained at Rajagaha as long as he thought fit, he set out on his journey towards Benares. And wandering from place to place, he came to Benares, and there at Benares the Lord Buddha stayed in the deer-park Isipatana.
Now at that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus, since the Lord Buddha had forbidden wooden shoes, used to break off young palmyra palms, and wear shoes made of the talipat leaves . The young palmyra plants withered. People were annoyed, murmured, and became angry, saying, 'How can the Sakyaputtiya Samanas(monks) break off young palmyra palms, and wear shoes made of the talipat leaves? The young palmyra plants wither. (By so doing), the Sakyaputtiya Samanas(monks) destroy vegetable life.'
2. The Bhikkhus heard those people murmuring in annoyance and indignation; and they told this matter to the Lord Buddha.
'Is it true' (&c., as in chap. 4. 2)?
'It is true, Lord.'
The Great Buddha rebuked them, saying, 'How can those foolish persons, O Bhikkhus(Monks), [act thus]? For people believe, O Bhikkhus(Monks), that life dwells in a tree. Such conduct will not conduce (&c., as in chap. 4. 2, down to:) becoming estranged.
Foot coverings made of talipat leaves, O Bhikkhus(Monks), are not to be worn. Whosoever wears them, is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
3. Now at that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus, since the Lord Buddha had forbidden talipat shoes, used to break off young bambus, and wear shoes made of the bambu leaves (&c., as in last section down to the end, substituting bambu for palmyra).
<<<< Previous(5.6) | Next(5.8) >>>>