and the character Shih (什), meaning ‘ten,' was interpreted by 'miscellaneous' by these commentators, but this cannot be the meaning attributed by the ancient authority in this case.
The cloth for defraying the cost of medicaments allowed to the priest by the Buddha should consist of silk about 20 feet long, or a full piece of it. (One p'i in the text = about 21 1/2 yards in Japan.) A sickness may befall one on a sudden, and a means of procuring medicine hastily sought is difficult to obtain.
For this reason an extra cloth was ordained to be kept prepared beforehand, and as this is necessary at the time of illness, one should never use it otherwise. In the way leading to religious practice and charity, the chief object is universal salvation. There are three classes of men as regards their ability, and they cannot all be led in one and the same way. The four Refuges[1], the four Actions[2], and the thirteen Dhûtâṅgas[3] were ordained for men of superior faculties.
- ↑ Four Refuges: (1) Pâmsukûlikâṅga; (2) Paindapâtikâṅga; (3) Vrikshamûlikâṅga; (4) Pûtimûtrabhaishagya. For 1, 2, and 3, see note to the thirteen Dhûtâṅgas below; and for 4, see chap. xxix, pp. 138-139.
- ↑ Four (proper) Actions are given in the Mûlasarvâstivâdaikasatakarman, chap. i (I-tsing's translation, No. 1131 in Nanjio's Catalogue): (1) Not returning slander for slander; (2) Not returning anger for anger; (3) Not meeting insult with insult; (4) Not returning blow for blow.
- ↑ Thirteen Dhûtâṅgas are certain ascetic practices, the observance of which is meritorious in a Buddhist priest. These are sometimes enumerated as 'twelve' Dhûtagunas, see Kasawara's Dharmasangraha LXIII.
Pâli. Chinese Explanation. Literal Translation of the Chinese. 1. Pamsukûlikaṅgam (Skt. Pâmsukúlika, 11) 糞掃衣 Having the garments made of rags from the dust-heap (pâmsu). 2. Tekîvarikangam (Skt. Traikîvarika, 2) 但衣之人 Becoming a man who wears only (three) garments. 3. Pindapâtikaṅgam (Skt. Paindapâtika, 1) 常乞食 Begging constantly. 4. Sapadânakârikaṅgam (Deest) 次第乞食 Begging from door to door.
