四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.41

3.41

Precept 20: Roofing a House Exceeding Three Layers / Regarding the intention behind establishing [this precept]: All things have their limits, and completing the task is what matters most. Being greedy and lacking moderation, one repeatedly adds layers without stopping, causing the house to collapse and destroying the work. The fault of public criticism is not light, which is why the Sage established [this precept]. / There are four specific conditions: first, building a house for oneself; second, having someone else roof it; third, when reaching the three layers before completion, not leaving the place of sight and hearing; fourth, when the third layer is completed, the offense is incurred. Below, the text of the precept is properly explained. This precept arose because of the fault of the bhikṣu Chanda: he built a room and added layers of roofing without stopping, whereupon it collapsed. Laypeople criticized him, saying, "Although the donors are not weary [of giving], the recipient should know contentment." The Buddha accordingly established the precept.