1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus walked over the mats used for sleeping upon with unwashen or wet feet, or with their sandals on; and the matting was soiled.
They told these matters to the Blessed One.
'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to do so. Whosoever does, shall be guilty of a dukkata 4.'
2. Now at that time the Bhikkhus spat on the newly prepared floor 5, and the colour was spoilt.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to do so. Whosoever does, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the use of a board to lean up against 2.'
The board scratched the floor at the bottom, and ruined the wall at the top.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to cover it at the top and bottom with cloth.'
Now at that time, fearing to offend, they would not lie down on places over which it was permissible to walk with washen feet 3.
218:4 With this should be compared the other rule in Mahâvagga V, 6, 1, according to which the Bhikkhus were to wear sandals when getting upon bedsteads or chairs, lest these should become soiled. The two passages are parallel in wording throughout. 218:5 Parikammakatâya. The floors were of earth, not of wood, and were restored from time to time by fresh clay or dry cowdung being laid down, and then covered with a whitewash, in which sometimes black or red (geruka) was mixed. See above, V, 11, 6; VI, 3, 1; 17, 1; 27. From the parallel passage at Mahâvagga I, 25, 15, and Kullavagga VIII, 3, 1, it would seem that the red colouring was used rather for walls, and the black one for floors. 219:1 'The walls were no doubt usually made with 'wattle and daub;' that is, sticks with clay between the interstices. This was treated from time to time like the flooring (see last note). 219:2 Apassena-phalakam. This article of furniture is mentioned, with the spittoon, in Mahâvagga I, 45, 15, 16, and in the parallel passage at Kullavagga VIII, 1, 3. We have rendered it in the Mahâvagga by 'board to recline on.' Compare the use of apassayam in Buddhaghosa's note on Kullavagga VI, 2, 4 (above, p. 153, note 3) of an arm-chair or sofa. 219:3 Dhotapâdakâ ti dhotapâdakâ hutvâ dhotehi pâdehi akkamitabbathâne nipaggitum kukkukkâyanti. Dhotapâdake ti pi pâtho. Dhotehi pâdehi akkamitabbatthânass’ eva etam adhivakanam (B.).
