四分比丘戒本疏 1.39

1.39

The sixth is the precept on building a hut exceeding the measurements without requesting permission. This precept encompasses four offences: two saṃghāvaśeṣas and two duṣkṛtas combined. In presenting the title, it only displays the name of saṃghāvaśeṣa because saṃghāvaśeṣa is the category here, thereby concealing the name of duṣkṛta. The text has three sections: first, the person capable of transgression; second, clarifying compliance and non-compliance; third, concluding with the offences of non-compliance. The second section first clarifies compliance, and then explains non-compliance. What is called compliance means carrying out the procedure in accordance with the teaching. First, "seeking for oneself" means begging and requesting from a donor oneself. Second, "making a hut"; third, "without an owner" is a qualification. That is, although one begs oneself, at times one might beg and obtain a sponsor. What is intended here is that there is ultimately no sponsor; hence the Vinaya says: "'Without an owner' means there is no person there, whether one, two, or many." Fourth, "for oneself" is a qualification, because [building] for another does not incur a saṃghāvaśeṣa. Fifth, "it should be made according to the measurements": according to the Mahīśāsaka-vinaya, one span of the Buddha is two feet. Excluding the outside, the interior of the hut should altogether be fourteen feet by twenty-four feet. Sixth, "he should bring the monks to point out the site" teaches him the procedure for requesting. That is, the owner of that hut first clears the ground of the hut so that there are no hindrances or dangers, enters the saṃgha, and requests three times from the saṃgha. The saṃgha then dispatches messengers. The owner of the hut leads the messengers to go and inspect the site to know that there are no hindrances or dangers. A hindrance means hindering the saṃgha's affairs, up to not allowing room for a grass cart to turn around. A danger means that the place has many tigers, wolves, lions, down to ants. Seventh, "those monks should point out a site without danger and without hindrance" means that the saṃgha formally gives authorization to build by a ñattidutiya-kamma. "If a monk [builds at a site] with danger ... up to if he builds exceeding the measurements" explains non-compliance with the teaching. Many monasteries in the mountains transgress this precept. Extensively managing practical affairs is a condition for an arhat's regression, so how could an ordinary, foolish person not be cautious? When the body is at ease, the Path grows; therefore, an exception is made allowing building according to the measurements. Many people act selfishly, which may hinder the affairs of the saṃgha, and an unsuitable dwelling place further causes self-harm. The saṃgha, out of pity, examines and grants the legal authorization; this is why [the precept] was instituted.