四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 2.50

2.50

“If a bhikṣu solicits a robe from an unrelated male householder or female householder, except at the proper time, it is a niḥsargika-prāyaścittika. Herein, 'proper time' means if one's robes are snatched away, lost, burned, or swept away by water—this is called the proper time.” This full precept text has three parts: first, the brief regulation; second, reciting the subsequent exception; third, the comprehensive regulation. Under the comprehensive regulation clauses, there are five: 1. the offender; 2. the unrelated householders; 3. soliciting a robe; 4. excepting the mitigating circumstances; 5. concluding the offense. “Proper time” and what follows recites the previous four clauses, and below explains the five clauses of the text. “If a bhikṣu” has the meaning explained above. “Unrelated” means not related within seven generations. Regarding “soliciting a robe,” there are ten types of robes. The *Sarvāstivāda Vinaya* and *Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya* state that soliciting and obtaining four cubits or more constitutes an offense. If one directly solicits, sends someone to solicit, makes gestures showing cold or heat, or obtains it through expedient Dharma talk, all constitute offenses. If one solicits a small item and the donor gives robe material, one may take it without offense; but if one originally had an expedient intention to solicit only a small item [hoping] that one might obtain a large one, it constitutes an offense of forfeiture. Regarding “except at the proper time,” this permits solicitation. The Vinaya states: If one's robes are snatched away by thieves and one is naked, one should cover one's body with light grass or tree leaves, and go near a monastery. If there are extra robes, take them; or take from friends; if there are none, ask among the Saṅgha to take distributable robes; if there are none, ask to take the Saṅgha's robes or bedding; if they do not give them, open the storehouse oneself to look; if there are mattresses, rugs, or blankets, tear them apart, cut them, make them into robes, and go outside to solicit robes. When obtained, one should wash, dye, sew, and return them properly to their original place; if one does not return them to their original place, one is dealt with according to the Dharma. “Niḥsargika-prāyaścittika” is the offense enacted. Within it are also four points, as explained above. “Proper time” refers to the four conditions of losing, having them snatched away, and so on. Regarding non-offense: The Vinaya states that if one's three robes are snatched away or lost, one may solicit from unrelated persons. The *Mahīśāsaka Vinaya* permits that when a robe is ruined, one may solicit, making five conditions in total with the previous ones. It also states: Or soliciting for another, where the other does not solicit for oneself; or obtaining without seeking; or soliciting from relatives; or soliciting from those who have gone forth—all are without offense.