佛制比丘六物圖 1.44

1.44

Next, explaining primary and secondary [robes]. The nine grades of the great robe originally had to be cut and pieced. If the robe cloth was insufficient, then patch-leaves were permitted. Twice nine makes eighteen kinds of robes. If it is still insufficient, the seven-strip robe is permitted as a secondary robe. In this sequential manner, permission is extended down to the plain robe (it is called "plain" because it lacks the appearance of strips). The primary and secondary forms of the three robes each have twenty-four kinds. For the great robe: there are eighteen primary kinds (cut and patched, nine each), and six secondary kinds (two seven-strip, three five-strip, and one plain robe). For the seven-strip robe: there are two primary robes (cut and patched), and twenty-two secondary robes (eighteen great robes, three five-strip, and one plain robe). For the five-strip robe: there are three primary robes (cut, patched, and folded), and twenty-one secondary robes (eighteen great robes, two seven-strip, and one plain robe). In total, there are seventy-two grades. The plain robe serves for all three uses, but it was originally the robe of a śrāmaṇera. The Vinaya prescribes: "A śrāmaṇera wears two plain robes: one to serve as a seven-strip robe when entering the assembly, and one to serve as a five-strip robe when doing chores." (Because the robe's form is not yet standard, it merely says "to serve as." The word "serve" is pronounced in the departing tone.)