BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

The Living Plant Chapter Chapter 8.2presents for the Community to use out in the open — e.g., stone or concretebenches — are likewise not grounds for an offense.Under this rule, the Commentary contains a long essay on the proper storage ofbrooms. Because its remarks are based on an improper application of the GreatStandards — brooms were known in the time of the Buddha and yet he chose not toinclude them under this rule — there is no reason to regard them as binding.Effort. The Vibhaṅga defines departing the furnishings as going further than oneleḍḍupāta — approximately 18 meters — from them. It does not define "takingleave," aside from stating that one may take leave from a bhikkhu, a novice, or amonastery attendant. This much, however, establishes that even though the Paliverb for taking leave, āpucchati, is etymologically related to the verb for asking,pucchati, the act of taking leave does not mean asking permission, for nothing inthe Canon suggests that a bhikkhu has to get a novice's or a lay attendant'spermission for his actions. The Commentary expands on this point, saying thattaking leave means informing a bhikkhu, a novice, or a temple attendant whom oneassumes will take responsibility for the furnishings. Unlike the following rule, wherethe intent to return is a mitigating factor, here it is not: Once a bhikkhu has departedfrom the furnishings, he has completed the factor of effort here even if he intendsto return immediately.Responsibility. A bhikkhu is held responsible for putting away furnishings that he hasordered another person to place in the open, unless the other person is also abhikkhu, in which case he is the one responsible. The Commentary states that if asenior bhikkhu requests a junior bhikkhu to place out in the open any furnishingsthat may be grounds for a penalty, then the junior bhikkhu is responsible for themuntil the senior bhikkhu sits down on them, places an article of his use (such as arobe or a shoulder bag) on them, or gives the junior bhikkhu permission to leave,after which point the senior bhikkhu is responsible.If there is to be an open-air meeting, the host bhikkhus are responsible for anyseats set out in the open, until the visiting bhikkhus claim their places, from whichpoint the visitors are responsible. If there is to be a series of Dhamma talks, eachspeaker is responsible for the sermon seat from the moment he sits in it until themoment the next speaker does.Non-offenses. As stated above, there is no offense if one departs having setfurnishings belonging to the Community or another individual out in the sun with thepurpose of drying them, and thinking, "I will put them away when I come back (§)."Also, there is no offense:if one departs after someone else takes possession of or responsibility forfurnishings one has left out in the open;if there are constraints on the furnishings — the Commentary mentions asenior bhikkhu making one get up from them and taking possession of them,tigers or lions lying down on them, or ghosts or ogres taking possession ofthem; or273