BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

A pupil's duties as attendant to his mentor.Appendix Xsurrounding area while the preceptor is using the tooth wood and water. Then, whilethe preceptor is using the restroom, one should proceed to the next step.)"Arrange a seat. If there is conjey, then having washed a shallow bowl, offer theconjey to the preceptor. When he has drunk the conjey, then having given him water,having received the bowl, having lowered it (so as not to let the washing water wetone's robes), wash it carefully without scraping it [C: knocking it against the floor]and then put it away. When the preceptor has gotten up, take up the seat. If theplace is dirty, sweep it."If the preceptor wishes to enter the village for alms, give him his lower robe,receiving the spare lower robe (he is wearing) from him in return. (This is one of thefew passages showing that the practice of having spare robes was already currentwhen the Canon was being compiled.) Give him his waistband; give him his upperand outer robe, arranged so that the upper robe forms a lining for the outer one (§).Having rinsed out the bowl, give it to him while it is still wet (i.e., pour out as muchof the rinsing water as possible, but don't wipe it dry)."If the preceptor desires an attendant, one should put on one's lower robe so as tocover the three circles all around (see Sk 1 & 2). Having put on the waistband,having arranged the upper robe as a lining for the outer one and having put them on,having fastened the (lower) fastener, having washed and taken a bowl, be thepreceptor's attendant. Do not walk too far behind him; do not walk too close. [C:One to two steps behind him is appropriate.] Receive the contents of thepreceptor's bowl. [C: If the preceptor's bowl is heavy or hot to the touch, take hisbowl and give him one's own bowl (which is presumably lighter or cooler to thetouch) in return.] (In a Community where the bowls are carried in their bowl bagsduring alms round, one may receive the preceptor's bowl.)"Do not interrupt the preceptor when he is speaking. If he is bordering on anoffense [C: e.g., Pc 4 or Sg 3], one should stop him. [C: Speak in an indirect wayso as to call him to his senses. These two protocols apply everywhere, not only onalms round.] {SC: Unlike the other protocols toward one's preceptor, these mustalso be observed even when one is ill.}"Returning ahead of the preceptor, one should arrange a seat. Put out washingwater for the feet, a foot stand, and a pebble foot wiper. Having gone to meet him,receive his bowl and robe. Give him his spare lower robe; receive the lower robe [C:that he has been wearing] in return. If the upper and outer robes are damp withperspiration, dry them for a short time in the sun's warmth, but do not leave them inthe sun's warmth for long. Fold up the robes {SC: separately}, keeping the edgesfour fingerbreadths apart so that neither robe becomes creased in the middle. (This,the Vinaya-mukha notes, helps extend the life of the cloth.) Place the waistband inthe fold of the robe. (From these statements it would appear that when bhikkhuswere in their dwelling places they wore only their lower robes, even while eating.)"If there is almsfood, and the preceptor wishes to eat, give him water and offer thealmsfood to him. Ask if he wants drinking water. [C: If there is enough time beforenoon, one should wait by the preceptor while he is eating, in order to offer him501