5.

The Chapter on Leather

Discussion on the Story of Soṇa Koḷivisa

242. In the Leather Chapter - "Sovereign lordship" means endowed with the state of being a sovereign and the state of being an overlord. "Kingdom" means the state of being a king, or the duties to be performed by a king. In "named Soṇa Koḷivisa," "Soṇa" is his name; "Koḷivisa" is his clan name. "Hairs on the soles of the feet" means on the reddish soles of the feet, fine hairs of collyrium colour, as if artistically fashioned, had arisen. It is said that formerly he, having been the chief man among eighty thousand men, together with them built a leaf-hut at the dwelling place of a Solitary Buddha, and having made his own splendid woollen cloak into a foot-wiper at the place where the Solitary Buddha stepped with his feet, he placed it there. For three months, indeed, all of them attended upon the Solitary Buddha. This was the previous connection of him and of those eighty thousand villagers.

"Eighty thousand villagers" means eighty thousand sons of good families dwelling in those villages. "On some business" means as if on some business; but he had no business other than seeing him. It is said that the king, assembling those eighty thousand sons of good families, assembled them thinking: "In this way Soṇa will come without suspicion." "In matters pertaining to the present life" means having instructed in matters beneficial in this world by such method as: "Agriculture, trade, and the like should be carried out righteously; mother and father should be supported righteously." "That Blessed One of ours" means the meaning is: that Blessed One of ours will instruct you in matters pertaining to the future life.

"I shall inform the Blessed One" means I shall make the Blessed One know. "Having dived down at the half-moon stone" means having dived down at the half-moon stone beneath the stairway. "Now let the Blessed One do as he thinks fit, venerable sir" means the Blessed One knows the time for the purpose of acting for their welfare. "In the shade of the dwelling" means in the shade at the end of the dwelling. "Were attentive" means they repeatedly gave attention out of confidence. "Exceedingly" means the meaning is: show exceedingly something even more distinguished. "Disappeared" means he became invisible.

Discussion on the Going Forth of Soṇa

243. "Covered with blood" means smeared with blood. "Slaughter house for cattle" means a place where cattle are slaughtered; such is the meaning. "Skilled" means skilled in playing the lute. "In the sound of the lute strings" means in the sound of the strings of the lute. "Overly taut" means excessively stretched, harshly tuned. "Tuneful" means endowed with good sound. "Fit for playing" means fit for use, suitable for playing. "Overly slack" means with feeble modulation. "Established at an even pitch" means having been set at the middle note, tuned. "Resolve upon evenness of energy" means resolve upon evenness associated with energy; the meaning is: yoke energy with tranquillity. "Penetrate to evenness of the faculties" means the evenness, the state of balance, of the faculties beginning with faith. Therein, by yoking faith with wisdom, and wisdom with faith, energy with concentration, and concentration with energy, one penetrates to evenness of the faculties. "And grasp the sign there" means when there is that tranquillity, by whatever sign - just as a reflection of the face in a mirror - it is to arise, grasp that sign of tranquillity, the sign of insight, the sign of the path, and the sign of fruition; the meaning is: bring them into being.

244. "Would declare final knowledge" means he would make known "I am a Worthy One." "Six states" means six causes. "He is intent upon" means he stands having penetrated and made it evident. "Intent upon renunciation" and so forth - all is stated in terms of arahantship. For arahantship is called renunciation because of having gone forth from all defilements, solitude because of being secluded from those very defilements, non-ill-will because of the absence of ill-will, elimination of clinging because it arose at the ending of clinging, elimination of craving because it arose at the ending of craving, and non-confusion because of the absence of confusion.

"Mere faith alone" means mere faith devoid of penetrative insight, entirely unmixed with the wisdom of penetrative insight. "Adding to" means growth through repeated practice. "Because of being without lust" means through the penetration of the path, because of the very departure of lust, he stands having penetrated arahantship, which is called renunciation. The meaning is that he dwells in the attainment of fruition, and his mind is inclined towards that very attainment. The same method applies to the remaining terms as well.

"Material gain, honour and fame" means the gain of the four requisites, the well-made nature of those very requisites, and the speaking of praise. "Desiring" means wishing, aspiring. "Intent upon solitude" means the meaning is that he declares arahantship thus: "I am intent upon solitude."

"Adherence to moral rules and austerities" means merely the grasping that has been grasped by clinging to moral rules and austerities. "Returning to as having substance" means knowing as having substance. "Intent upon non-ill-will" means the meaning is that he declares arahantship as non-ill-will. The meaning in all the sections should be understood by this very method.

"Severe" means powerful. "They do not overpower his mind" means they are unable to remain having seized the mind of this one who has eliminated the mental corruptions. "Unmixed" means not mixed. Defilements make the mind mixed together with the object; because of the absence of those defilements, it is unmixed. "Stable" means established. "Having attained imperturbability" means having attained immovability. "He contemplates its passing away" means he sees both the arising and the passing away of that mind.

"For one inclined to renunciation" means for one who stands having penetrated arahantship. By the remaining terms as well, only arahantship is spoken of. "Of the elimination of clinging" is a genitive case used in the objective sense. "And to non-confusion of mind" means of one inclined to non-confusion of consciousness. "Having seen the arising of the sense bases" means having seen both the arising and the passing away of the sense bases. "The mind becomes rightly liberated" means by the right cause and method, through this practice of insight, the mind is liberated by way of the attainment of fruition, and is resolved upon the object of nibbāna. "Of peaceful mind" means of one whose mind is quenched. "Such a one" means one who is such because of being unshakeable by attraction and repulsion towards the desirable and undesirable; of that such one.

Discussion on the Prohibition of Double-layered and Other Sandals

245. "Declare the final liberating knowledge" means they declare arahantship. "The meaning has been stated" means the meaning by which one is known as an arahant has been stated. The meaning of the sutta, however, should be understood from the explanation of the sutta itself. "And oneself has not been brought forward" means oneself has not been brought forward by way of the expression "I am an arahant." "And yet here some foolish men" means other worthless men, as if laughing, declare the final liberating knowledge by merely making what is non-existent into something existent through words alone. "Single-soled" means single-layered. "Eighty cartloads" - here it should be understood that two cart-loads make one vāha. "Seven military units of elephants" - here six female elephants and one male elephant constitute one unit. Seven such units are called "seven military units of elephants." "Double-soled" means two-layered. "Triple-soled" means three-layered. "Multi-soled sandals" is said starting from four layers.

Discussion on the Prohibition of All-blue and Other Sandals

246. "All-blue" means entirely blue. The same method applies to all-yellow and so on as well. Therein, blue is the colour of flax flowers, yellow is the colour of kaṇikāra flowers, red is the colour of jayasumana flowers, madder is the colour of madder itself, black is the colour of fresh soap-berry fruit, great-dye-dyed is the colour of the back of a centipede, and great-name-dyed is of mixed colour, the colour of a withered leaf. But in the Kurundī it is said to be "the colour of lotus flowers." Having obtained any of these, it is allowable to wipe the dye with a cloth, break the colour, and then wear them. Even if only a small amount is broken, it is allowable.

"With blue straps" means those whose straps alone are blue. The same method applies everywhere. These too should be worn after breaking the colour. "Heel-covered" means made by fastening a heel-piece to the sole for the purpose of covering the heel. "Toe-covered" refers to what are called Greek sandals, which cover the entire foot up to the shin. "Ankle-wrapped" means made by wrapping around; which covers only the foot above, not the shin. "Cotton-stuffed" means made by stuffing with cotton wool. "Partridge-wing" means variously bound, resembling partridge wings. "With ram's horn straps" means made by attaching straps in the shape of ram's horns at the place of the knot. The same method applies to those with goat's horn straps and so on as well. "Scorpion-tail" means made right there by attaching straps in the shape of a scorpion's tail. "Stitched with peacock feathers" means stitched on the soles or on the straps with peacock feathers resembling threads. "Variegated" means multi-coloured; having obtained any of these, if it is possible to use them after removing those heel-pieces and so on, they should be used. But if one uses them while those are still present, there is an offence of wrong-doing. "Trimmed with lion's hide" means made by attaching lion's hide at the edges, like the border of a robe. "Trimmed with owl's hide" means trimmed with the hide of a horned owl. Having obtained any of these too, one should remove that hide and then wear them.

247. "Discarded" means removed after having put on. "New" means not previously used.

Discussion on the Prohibition of Sandals within the Monastery

248. "For the sake of a livelihood" means: by means of whatever craft they make a living, they earn a livelihood - for the sake of that, is the meaning. In "here indeed, monks, that" - here "that" is merely a particle; the meaning is "here indeed, monks, it would be fitting for you." "That you" means "those of you." Alternatively, it is said as "if you." For this particle has the meaning of the word "if." In "towards teachers" and so forth: the ordination teacher, the higher ordination teacher, the dependence teacher, and the instruction teacher - all these four are here indeed teachers. For one without rains, a monk of six rains is one like a teacher. For he dwells depending on that one during the four-rains period; thus, for one of one rains, a monk of seven rains; for one of two rains, a monk of eight rains; for one of three rains, a monk of nine rains; for one of four rains, a monk of ten rains. These too are indeed those like teachers. However, companion monks who are close associates of one's preceptor, or whoever are senior by more than ten rains - all of those are called those like preceptors. When this many monks are walking up and down without sandals, there is an offence for one walking up and down wearing sandals.

249. The foot-peg affliction means that from the foot, flesh resembling a peg has protruded.

251. "Grass shoes" means shoes made from any kind of grass. "Date-palm shoes" means shoes made from date-palm leaves; those made from date-palm leaves too are not allowable. "Kamala-grass shoes" means there is a grass called kamala-grass, shoes made from that; they also call them "usīra-grass shoes." "Woollen shoes" means shoes made from wool. "Not movable" means well-established on the ground, immovable, not to be carried away.

252. "Touching their genitals" means they touch the genitals with their own genitals. "Having plunged into the water, were killing" means having seized them firmly inside the water, they kill them.

Discussion on the Prohibition of Vehicles and Other Conveyances

253. "With a cow-yoked one" means yoked with a cow. "With a male driver" means with a male charioteer. "With a bull-yoked one" means yoked with a bull. "With a female driver" means with a female charioteer. "As at the Ganges festival" means as at the Ganges grand celebration. "A bull-yoked one, a hand-cart" - herein, the bull-yoked one may have either a female charioteer or a male charioteer; it is allowable. As for the hand-cart, whether women push it or men, it is indeed allowable. "From the jolting of the vehicle" means on account of mounting the vehicle, the whole body shakes; because of that. "A palanquin" means a sedan-chair palanquin. "A litter" means a cloth-bundle made by suspending it from a pole.

254. "High beds and luxurious beds" - herein, "high bed" means a bed exceeding the prescribed measure. "Luxurious bed" means an impermissible covering. Among "large couches" and so forth, "large couch" means a seat exceeding the prescribed measure. "Divan" means one made by placing fierce animal figures on the legs. "Woollen cover with long fleece" means a large dark woollen rug with long hair; its hairs, it is said, exceed four finger-breadths. "Multicoloured spread" means a woollen spread decorated with woven patterns. "White spread" means a woollen white covering. "Embroidered coverlet" means a red woollen spread with dense floral patterns; which is also called "āmalakapaṭṭa." "Quilt stuffed with cotton wool" means simply an ordinary quilt. "Spread decorated with animal figures" means a woollen covering decorated with figures of lions, tigers and so on. "Rug with fur on one side" means a woollen spread with raised fur on one side; "uddhalomī" is also a reading. "Rug with fur on both sides" means a woollen spread with raised fur on both sides. "Gem-studded coverlet" means a bed-sheet made of silk embroidered with gems, studded with jewels. "Silk coverlet" means a coverlet made of silk thread studded with gems; but pure silk is permissible.

"Grand carpet" means a woollen spread large enough for sixteen dancing women to stand and dance upon. "Elephant rugs and horse rugs" means coverings spread on the backs of elephants and horses. In the case of chariot rugs too, the same method applies. "Spread of antelope skins" means a spread made by sewing antelope hides to the measure of a bed. "Spread of kadali-deer hide" means there is a hide called kadali-deer hide; a fine coverlet made from it - the meaning is the finest coverlet. It is said that they make it by spreading and sewing kadali-deer hide over white cloth. "With awning" means together with an upper covering; the meaning is together with a red canopy fastened above. Even with a white canopy, when there is a not allowable bed-sheet underneath, it is not allowable; but when there is none, it is allowable. "Red cushions at both ends" means a head-cushion and a foot-cushion - red cushions at both ends of the bed; this is not permissible. But if a single cushion is dyed red on both sides, or is lotus-coloured, or multicoloured, if it is of the prescribed measure, it is permissible. But a large cushion is rejected.

Discussion on the Prohibition of All Leather and Other Matters

255. "Panther cub" means a young panther. "They wind around" means they wrap and bind around wall-posts and the like.

256. "To sit down on" means to sit down leaning against; the meaning is to sit down resting against. "A sick monk wearing sandals" - here, "sick" means one who is unable to enter the village without sandals.

257. "At Kuraraghara" means in a town of that name; by this, his alms-resort village is stated. "On Papataka Mountain" means on a mountain named Papataka; by this, his place of dwelling is stated. "Soṇa" is his name. He wore an ear ornament worth a koṭi, therefore he is called "Kuṭikaṇṇa"; the meaning is "Koṭikaṇṇa." "Pleasing" means generating confidence. "Confidence-inspiring" is a synonym of that very same meaning. "The highest taming and serenity" means the highest taming and serenity, and also wisdom, concentration, bodily tranquillity, and mental tranquillity. "Tamed" means tamed because all erratic and wayward movements have been cut off; the meaning is one whose defilements are destroyed. "Guarded" means guarded by the guarding of restraint. "With peaceful faculties" means with restrained faculties. "An elephant" means free from fault. "After the elapse of three years for me" means after the elapse of three years counting from the day of my going forth. "I received full ordination" means I obtained full ordination. "With black soil on top" means with black earth on top; the meaning is black earth built up on the surface. "Trampled by cattle hooves" means damaged by cattle-hoof marks that have risen up from the ground trodden by the hooves of cattle. Single-soled sandals, it is said, cannot protect against those cattle-hoof marks; so rough are they. "Eragu, moragu, majjāru, jantu" - these are all four types of grass; from these they make grass mats and mattresses. Here, "eragu" is eraka grass; that is coarse. Moragu grass has red tips, is soft and pleasant to the touch; a mattress made from it, upon rising after lying down, swells up again and remains so. From majjāru they also make cloth garments. Jantu has a colour resembling a jewel. "Prepared a lodging" means he prepared either a cushion or a grass mat; and having prepared it, he informed Soṇa: "Friend, the Teacher wishes to dwell in a single dwelling with you; a lodging has been prepared for you in the Fragrant Hut itself."

258. "This is the time for this" means this would be the time. "Showed me" means he pointed out. "He would say this and that" - the intention here is: "What my preceptor made known to me, this would be the time for that; come now, I shall convey that message."

259. "With a Vinaya expert as the fifth" means with a teacher who makes the announcement as the fifth. "I allow, monks, in all the border districts, multi-soled sandals" - here, except for human skin, sandals made of any leather are permissible. The same principle applies to sandal cases, knife cases, and key cases as well. "Leather spreads" - here, however, any sheep-skin or goat-skin may be spread out for lying down or sitting upon; this is permissible. Regarding deer-skin, only the skins of these are permissible: the eṇī deer, the vāta deer, the pasada deer, the kuraṅga deer, the migamātuka deer, and the rohita deer. But of others -

Therein, "wild beasts" means lions, tigers, bears, and hyenas; and not only of these alone, but setting aside those whose skins have been stated as permissible, the remainder - including even cows, buffaloes, hares, cats, and so forth - all should be understood as "wild beasts" in this context. For the skins of all of these are not permissible. "It does not count until it comes into the hand" means that until it has been brought and given, or until a message has been sent announcing "Venerable sir, a robe has arisen for you," it does not enter the count. If it is undetermined, it is permissible; the meaning is that what is determined does not enter the count. But when it has been brought and given, or when it has been heard that "it has arisen," from that point onwards it receives only a ten-day period of keeping.

The commentary on the Leather Chapter is concluded.