Monks’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 90 (PLI-TV-BU-VB-PC90)

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time an itch-cloth was allowed to the monks by the lord. The group of six monks, thinking: “An itch-cloth is allowed by the lord,” used itch-cloths 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: “How can this group of six monks use itch-cloths that are not of a (proper) measure” …

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:

“How can you, foolish men, use itch-cloths that are not of a (proper) measure? It is not, foolish men, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … And thus, monks, this rule of training should be set forth:

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

Itch-cloth means: it is for covering him who has itch or a small boil or a running sore or a thick scab disease from below the navel to above the knee.

Is being made means: … see Bu-Pc.89.3 …

it should be made to a (proper) measure … in breadth two spans (Bu-Pc.89.3) …

… if he is mad, if he is the first wrong-doer.

The Eighth

The Book of the Discipline was translated by I.B. Horner.

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Published in 2014 by SuttaCentral.

Originally published by the Pali Text Society in the following years:

Vol. 1: 1938

Vol. 2: 1940

Vol. 3: 1942

Vol. 4: 1951

Vol. 5: 1950

Vol. 6: 1966

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