四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.42

3.42

"If a bhikṣu constructs a large dwelling, directing the doors, windows, and other decorative accessories, and overseeing the thatch-roofing up to two or three layers, if he exceeds that, it is a prāyaścittika." / This full precept text has four clauses: first, the person who commits the offense; second, the rule for constructing a dwelling; third, from "directing" onward, the permitted limit; fourth, exceeding the limit and incurring the offense. The word "bhikṣu" has the meaning distinguished above. Second, "constructs a large dwelling" means using a great deal of wealth and material; "and other decorative accessories" refers to carvings and paintings. Third, "directing the thatch-roofing" has two types: first, lengthwise roofing; second, crosswise roofing. "Up to two or three layers" is the permitted limit. The Vinaya states: "Up to three layers, before it is completed, directing it incurs no offense." Fourth, "if he exceeds that, it is a prāyaścittika" is the penalty for exceeding the limit. Thus the Vinaya states: "If a bhikṣu directs [the work] and, before the three layers are completed, goes to a place out of sight and hearing; if he does not go to a place out of sight and hearing, he commits a prāyaścittika offense. If he alternately leaves the place of sight and hearing, he commits a duṣkṛta." The Samantapāsādikā states: "If, after the three layers are completed, there is no boundary-watching, for each use of thatch he commits an offense—for each, a prāyaścittika." The Vinaya states regarding non-offenses: "If, having directed as above, he avoids [overseeing] the roofing of the third layer; or if water or land routes are cut off, or because of the danger of bandits, fierce warfare, danger to life, or danger to the brahmacarya, he does not avoid the third layer—there is no offense."