Theravāda Vinayapiṭaka

Monks’ rules and their analysis

Monks’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 91

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a cloth for the rains was allowed to monks by the lord. The group of six monks, thinking: “A cloth for the rains is allowed by the lord,” wore cloths for the rains that were not of a (proper) measure; they went about trailing (these) along in front as well as behind. Those who were modest monks … spread it about, saying: see Bu-Pc.90.1 … “… should be set forth:

When a cloth for the rains is being made for a monk, it must be made to a (proper) measure. This is the (proper) measure here: in length six spans of the accepted span, in breadth two and a half spans. In exceeding this (measure), there is an offence of expiation involving cutting down.”


Cloth for the rains means: it is for the four months of the rainy season.

Is being made means: it must be made to a (proper) measure … if he is mad, if he is the first wrong-doer.

The Ninth