1. Now at that time a sheath of felt 2 had come into the possession of the Samgha.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, a sheath.'
The Bhikkhus considered whether a sheath was a thing which each one might keep for himself, or a thing which ought to be handed over from time to time by one Bhikkhu to another.'
'A sheath, O Bhikkhus, is neither to be appropriated nor to be handed over 1.'
Now at that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus used to eat lying on decorated divans.
People murmured, &c saying, 'Like those still living in the pleasures of the world.'
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to eat lying on decorated divans 2. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'
Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu was sick, and when eating he was not able to hold his bowl in his hand.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus, the use of a stand for the bowl 3.'
Now at that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus used to eat out of one dish, to drink out of one vessel, and to lie on one bed, one coverlet, or one mat 4.
The people murmured, &c. . . . .
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'You are not, O Bhikkhus, [to do any of these things.] Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'
116:2 Namatakam. See V, 11, 1.
117:1 Na adhitthâtabbam na vikappetabbam. That is, it is always to be kept as common property of the Samgha (Samghika). See Mahâvagga VIII, 20, 2, where the same expressions occur.
117:2 Âsittaktlpadhânam nâma tamba-lohena vâ ragatena vâ katâya pelâya (MS. belâya) etam adhivakanam. The use of an ubhato-lohitakûpadhânam is condemned, among other things of a like kind, in the Magghima Sîla, § 5 (Rh. D.'s 'Buddhist Suttas,' p. 193), and above, Mahâvagga V, 10, 2.
117:3 Malorikâ ti dandâdhârako vukkati. Yatthi-âdhâraka-pannâ-dhâraka-pakkhita-pitthâni pi etth’ eva pavitthâni. Âdhâraka-samkhepana-gamanato hi patthâya khiddam viddham pi aviddham pi vattati yeva (B.).
117:4 All these words have already occurred above at Kullavagga I. 13, 1. 'Sitting on one seat' is there added to the list.