THE CHAPTER VI OF SAṂGHĀDISESA

6. kuṭikāra sikkhāpada

The Lord having dwelt at Rājagahafor as long as he thought fit set out on a tour for Āḷavī. Making the tour, in due course he arrived at Āḷavī. There the Lord dwelt in the chief shrine at Āḷavī.

At that time the bhikkhus of Āḷavi were having huts built from their own begging -- having no sponsors, destined for themselves, not to any standard measurement -- that did not come to completion. They were continually begging, continually hinting: 'Give a man, give labor, give an ox, give a wagon, give a knife, give an ax, give an adze, give a spade, give a chisel, give rushes, give reeds, give grass, give clay.' People, harassed with the begging, harassed with the hinting, on seeing bhikkhus would feel apprehensive, alarmed, would run away; would take another route, face another direction, close the door. Even on seeing cows, they would run away, imagining them to be bhikkhus."

Having heard about it, The Buddha promulgated this Sikkhāpada:

            Saññācikāya pana bhikkhunā kuṭiṃ kārayamānena assāmikaṃ attuddesaṃ pamānikā kāretabbā. Tatridaṃ pamāṇaṃ-- dīghaso dvādasa vidatthiyo sugatavidatthiyā; tiriyaṃ sattantarā. Bhikkhū abhinetabbā vutthudesanāya. Tehi bhikkhūhi vutthu desetabbaṃ anārambhaṃ saparikkamanaṃ. Sārambhe ce bhikkhu vatthusmiṃ aparikkamane saññācikāya kuṭiṃ kāreyya, bhikkhū vā anabhineyya vatthudesanāya, pamāṇaṃ vā atikkāmeyya, saṃghādideso.

When a bhikkhu constructs a hut without donor by his own asking and for his own advantage, he should make it according to the measurement. This is the measurement-- twelve spans of Sugata in length and seven spans of Sugata in width. Monks should be collected to point out the site. The monks should point out the site which is not unsafe and which has an open space round it.

If a monk builds a hut by his own asking on a site which is unsafe and which has no open space round it, the monks are not collected to point out the site, or if he exceeds the measurement, this entails saṃghādisesa offence.

 

Three kinds of Kuṭi (hut)

1. Ullittā kuṭi            = The hut which is smeared only inside with the marl or cement.

2. Avalittā kuṭi          = The hut which is smeared only outside with the marl or cement.

3. Ullittāvalittā kuṭī              = The hut which is smeared both inside and outside with the marl or cement.

Six or Seven factors

1. Ullittādīnaṃ aññatartā                = Being one of the three huts (smeared with cement).

2. Heṭṭhimappamāṇa saṃbhavo     = By means of breadth, at least, that must be four cubits.

3. Adesitavatthukatā*                      = Being the site not having been pointed out.

4.  Pamāṇātikkantatā*                     = Exceeding the length or width which is allowable.

5. Attuddesikatā                               = Having one’s own advantage which is pointed out.

6. Vāsāgāratā                                     = Being the hut to dwell for one’s own.

7. Lepaghaṭaṇā                                 = Having completely joined smearing the hut.

The definition of some words

  Kuṭi                = a small lodging which is smeared with cement inside or which is smeared outside

or which is smeared inside and outside.

  Pamāṇaṃ       = the measurement which should be 12 spans of Buddha in length externally

and 7 spans of Buddha in width internally.

  A span = the measurement between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger

both fully extended.

  A cubit           = the measurement from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow.

N.B               Buddha's span (1)     => majjhimapurisa's spans (3)       => ordinary man's spans (4 1/2)

Length            Buddha's span (12)   => majjhimapurisa's spans (36)     => ordinary man's spans (54)

Width             Buddha's span (7)     => majjhimapurisa's spans (21)     => ordinary man's spans (31 1/2)

Sārambha       with disturbances which mean;

¨      the site is the abode ofants.

¨      the site is the abode of termites.

¨      the site is the abode of rats.

¨      the site is the abode of snakes.

¨      the site is the abode of scorpions.

¨      the site is the abode of centipedes.

¨      the site is the abode of elephants.

¨      the site is the abode of horses.

¨      the site is the abode of lions.

¨      the site is the abode of tigers.

¨      the site is the abode of leopards.

¨      the site is the abode of bears.

¨      the site is the abode of hyenas.

¨      the site is the abode of any other animals or living beings.

¨      the site is the place ofgrains.

¨      the site is the place of vegetables.

¨      the site is the place of slaughter.

¨      the site is the place of execution block.

¨      the site is the place of cemetery.

¨      the site is the place of pleasure grove.

¨      the site is the place of king's property.

¨      the site is the place of elephant stables.

¨      the site is the place of horse stables.

¨      the site is the place of prison.

¨      the site is the place of tavern.

¨      the site is the place of slaughter house.

¨      the site is the place of carriage road.

¨      the site is the place of cross-road.

¨      the site is the place of public rest house.

¨      the site is the place of meeting place or thoroughfare.

-Anārambha            = without disturbances, which mean a negative of sārambha above, mentioned.

-Saparikkamana      = adequate space, which means that there is enough room on the site for a yoked

                                  wagon to go around, or for a man to carry a ladder around, the proposed hut.

-Aparikkamana       = without an open space round, which means a negative of saparikkamana above described.

The procedures how to construct a Kuṭi

If, for his own use, a bhikkhu is planning to build a hut as defined in this Kuṭikārasikkhāpada, he must choose a site, clear it, and ask for the Saṃgha Order to inspect and approve it before he can go ahead with the actual construction.

The example goes like that---

The bhikkhu (Ven. Janaka) who builds the Kuṭi must clean the site, approach the Saṃgha after putting across his upper robe over his left shoulder, sit on his heels, worship the feet of the elder Bhikkhu and lift his clasped hands and say:

Venerable ones, I wish to have a kuṭi built with the materials; begged for or collected by myself; there is no owner; there is personality to be pointed out as self; Venerable ones, I request Saṃgha to inspect the site of the kuṭi.

For the second time and for the third time, the request must be repeated.

            If the whole of the Saṃgha is able to inspect the site, all should carry out the inspection. If the whole Saṃgha is not available, some (Ven. Khemācāra and Ven. Varasāmi) of them who are experienced and competent to find out whether it is free from danger, and whether it has an open space around it for a cart to turn round will be deputed to inspect the site.

Another experienced and competent monk (Ven. Cakkinda) should inform about it to the Saṃgha by saying; “Venerable ones, may Saṃgha please hear me. So and so Bhikkhu (Ven. Janaka) wishes to build a kuṭi with the materials which he has been begged for or collected by himself; there is no owner; there is personality to be pointed out as self. The Bhikkhu requests the Saṃgha to inspect the site.  If it is convenient to Saṃgha, it may depute so and so Bhikkhus (Ven. Khemācāraand Ven. Varasāmi) to inspect the site of the kuṭi of so and so Bhikkhu (Ven. Janaka). This is the motion.”

“Venerable ones, may saṃgha please hear me. So and so Bhikkhu (Ven. Janaka) wishes to build a kuṭi with the materials which he himself begged for or collected by himself; there is no owner who builds it: there is personality to be pointed out as self. The Bhikkhu has requested Saṃgha to inspect the site of the kuṭi. Saṃgha has deputed so and so Bhikkhus (Ven. Khemācāra and Ven. Varasāmi) to inspect the site. If the Venerable one pleased with the deputing of so and so Bhikkhus (Ven. Khemācāra and Ven. Varasāmi), he may remain silent. Anyone who is displeased may speak.”

“Saṃgha has deputed so and so Bhikkhus (Ven. Khemācāraand Ven. Varasāmi) to inspect the site of the kuṭi. It is pleasing to Saṃgha so it remains silent, which is the sign of it being pleased.”

The bhikkhus (Ven. Khemācāra and Ven. Varasāmi)  who are deputed to inspect the site of kuṭi must visit that place and inspect the site of kuṭi and find out whether it is free from danger or whether there is an open space large enough for a cart to turn round. If there is danger and no  open space for a cart to turn round, they must say: "do not build here". If there is no danger and there is an open space for a cart to turn round, they must report to the Saṃgha; "there is no danger and there is an open space for a cart to turn round".

            The bhikkhu (Ven. Janaka) building the kuṭi should approach Saṃgha, keep his upper robe on his left shoulder, worship the feet of the senior bhikkhu, sit down on his heels, lift his clasped hands and say;

"Venerable ones, I wish to build a kuṭi with the materials which I have begged for or collected for my own personal use; there is no owner; there is personality to be pointed out as self. Venerable ones, I request Saṃgha to mark or point out the site of kuṭi".

It must be repeated for the second time and also for the third time.

The experienced and competent monk (Ven. Cakkinda) should inform Saṃgha.

Venerable ones, may Saṃgha hear me. So and so monk (Ven.Janaka) wishes to build a kuṭi with the materials which he has himself begged for or collected for his own personal use. There is no owner; there is personality to be pointed out as self. The bhikkhu (Ven.Janaka) requests Saṃgha to mark or point out the site of the kuṭi. If it is convenient to it, Saṃgha may mark or point out the site of so and so bhikkhu's (Ven.Janaka's) kuṭi. This is the motion.

Venerable ones, may Saṃgha please hear me. So and so monk (Ven. Janaka) wishes to build a kuṭi with the materials which he has himself begged for or collected; there is no owner; there is personality to be pointed out as self. The bhikkhu requested Saṃgha to mark or point out the site of his kuṭi. Saṃgha is marking or pointing out the site of kuṭi. The venerable one who is pleased with the marking or pointing out of the site should remain silent. He who is displeased should say so.

Saṃgha has marked or pointed out the site of so and so bhikkhu's (Ven. Janaka's) kuṭi. Saṃgha is pleased; so it remains silent by which it is understandable that Saṃgha is pleased.

And then the monk (Ven. Janaka) who wishes to build the kuṭi is allowed to build it himself in accord with the measurement (pamāṇa), the site which is not occupied by ants, etc.(anārambha) and the area where the cart drawn by yoked oxen can go round or where ladders can be taken round (saparikkamana).

Āpattibheda

  If a bhikkhu finishes by himself the construction of a kuṭi which he has not yet completed

à this entails saṃghādisesaoffence.

  If others are made to finish the construction of a kuṭi which he has not yet completed,

à this entails saṃghādisesaoffence.

  If he finishes the construction of a kuṭi which others have not yet completed,

à this entails saṃghādisesaoffence.

  If others are made to finish the construction of a kuṭi which other has not yet completed,

à this entails saṃghādisesaoffence.

  If he builds a kuṭi in the disturbance place,    àthis entails dukkaṭa offence.

  If he builds a kuṭi in the inadequate place,     àthis entails dukkaṭa offence.

  Each act in its construction                               àentails a dukkaṭa offence.

  the next to the last act in its construction      àentails thullaccayaoffence.

  once the hut is completed,                                àentails saṃghādisesaoffence.

Anāpattivāra                                  

Anāpatti leṇe guhāya tiṇakuṭikāya aññasatthāya vāsāgāraṃ ṭhapetvā sabbattha, anāpatti ummattakassa ādikammikassa. 

There is no offence if it is (built) in a mountain hole, in a cave comprising bricks, stones .etc., as a hut of tiṇa-grass, for the good of another, and if he builds any buildings except one's own advantage. There is no offence if he is mad or a first offender.

Summary:

A monk should not build a kuṭi without a sponsor, destined for one's own use, without having obtained the Saṃgha's approval, exceeding the standard measurements.

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