Monks’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 92 (PLI-TV-BU-VB-PC92)

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the venerable Nanda, the son of the lord’s aunt, was beautiful, good to look upon, charming, four finger-breadths less (in height) than the lord. He wore a robe the measure of a well-farer’s robe. Monks who were elders saw the venerable Nanda coming from afar; seeing him, saying: “The lord is coming,” they rose from their seats. These, recognising him when he had come, looked down upon, criticised, spread it about, saying:

“How can the venerable Nanda wear a robe the measure of a well-farer’s robe?” They told this matter to the lord. Then the lord questioned the venerable Nanda, saying:

“Is it true, as is said, that you, Nanda, wore a robe the measure of a well-farer’s robe?”

“It is true, lord.”

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

“How can you, Nanda, wear a robe the measure of a well-farer’s robe? It is not, Nanda, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … And thus, monks, this rule of training should be set forth:

“Whatever monk should have a robe made the measure of a well-farer’s robe, or more, there is an offence of expiation involving cutting down. This is the (proper) measure here of a well-farer’s robe for a well-farer: in length nine spans of the accepted span, in breadth six spans; this is the (proper) measure of a well-farer’s robe for a well-farer.”

Whatever means: … monk is to be understood in this case.

Well-farer’s robe means: in length it is nine spans of the accepted span, in breadth six spans.

Should have made means: if he makes it or causes it to be made, in the business … see Bu-Pc.89 … If, having acquired what was made for another, he makes use of it, there is an offence of wrong-doing.

There is no offence if he makes it less; if having acquired what was made for another, having cut it down, he makes use of it; if he makes a canopy … or a squatting-mat; if he is mad, if he is the first wrongdoer.

The Tenth rule of training: that on Nanda

The Ninth Division: that on treasure

Concluded is the Minor (Class)

This is its key:

And of a king, treasure, if he be there,
a needle, and a couch, on cotton,
And a piece of cloth to sit upon,
and the itch, for the rains, and on a well-farer.

Venerable ones, recited are the ninety-two rules for offences of expiation. Concerning them, I ask the venerable ones: I hope that you are quite pure in this matter? And a second time I ask: I hope that you are quite pure in this matter? And a third time I ask: I hope that you are quite pure in this matter? The venerable ones are quite pure in this matter, therefore they are silent, thus do I understand this.

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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