四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.120

3.120

"If a bhikṣu gives a robe to a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, śikṣamāṇā, śrāmaṇera, or śrāmaṇerī, and then takes it back and wears it [without asking], it is a prāyaścittika." The complete text of the precept has three clauses: 1. The person committing the offense. 2. Performing the procedure of permissible bestowal. 3. Arbitrarily taking it, which incurs the offense. In distinguishing the characteristics, the first clause is clear. The second, "gives a robe": the Vinaya states that permissible bestowal is of two kinds, the first being genuine and the second being delegated. The delegated kind is explained under the precept on extra robes. The third, "prāyaścittika": this is the clause setting down the offense for arbitrary taking. Thus the Vinaya states: If one performs a genuine permissible bestowal, one must ask the owner and only then take and wear it; if not, one commits a prāyaścittika. However, the text for this recipient of the bestowal applies to the five assemblies, and people interpret it inconsistently. Some say that this applies the precept across both the monks' and nuns' assemblies together; how could a bhikṣu take a robe from a nun? Each performs the procedure facing their own kind—monks to two, nuns to three. Others say that according to the text it extends to all five assemblies as recipients, according to whatever one pleases. Question: When one performs permissible bestowal before a śrāmaṇera, what should one call him after receiving it? Answer: Address him as a bhikṣu without monastic seniority. Question: How many objects should be declared for permissible bestowal? Answer: Robes, medicines, bowls, treasures, and so forth. Question: What are the measurements for robes? Answer: A robe measuring six to eight inches. Thus the Vinaya states: eight Buddha-fingerbreadths in length and four fingerbreadths in width. If it is less than this or a whole uncut piece, not declaring them is without offense. The measure of bowls is already known. For medicines there is no set measure, referring to those taken under the seven-day ingestion rule, whereas all others are not so. For treasures there is no amount; it refers only to gold, silver, and coins. Question: For how many kinds of persons is it permitted to perform the declaration of permissible bestowal by mental resolve? Answer: The Sarvāstivāda Vinaya permits five kinds of persons to perform seven kinds of mental resolve procedures. The Vinaya states that it is not an offense: if it was a genuine bestowal, one asks the owner and takes it; if it was delegated, one takes it as one pleases.