緇門警訓 3.55

3.55

The Chao cites the Sifen lü: 'For the sake of the body, for the sake of the robes, and for the sake of the bedding, its length is enjoined to be two spans (zha-ge) of the Buddha, and its width one and a half spans; the width and length may be further increased by half a span.' The various treatises and vinayas differ regarding the measure of a span. Now, following the Wufen lü, one span of the Buddha is two chi long. Measured by the Tang chi, it is slightly more than one chi, six cun, and seven fen. Here, taking two chi as a span follows the chi of the Ji-Zhou dynasty. The Shisong lü states: 'A new one should be of two layers; an old one, of four layers.' The Jialun agrees. The Binaiye states: 'When making a new niṣīdana, take an old one to border its four edges so as to alter its color. If one makes it, one should affix a border.' The Wufen lü states: 'The four corners must be patched; if not patched, it is improper.' The Sifen lü states: 'Whether made smaller than the standard measure or folded into two layers, both are permissible.' The Shisong lü states: 'One should not receive a single-layered niṣīdana; spending the night away from it incurs a duṣkṛta.' The Motujia states: 'Spending the night away does not require forfeiture and expiation, because it was not enjoined by the Buddha; nonetheless, one should not spend the night away from it.' The Commentary states: '"For the sake of the body" means out of fear that sitting on the ground might cause injury. Next, "for the sake of the robes" means out of fear that without something underneath, the three robes would be easily damaged. "For the sake of the bedding" means out of fear that an impure body would soil the Saṅgha's beds and couches.'