At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, he allowed sitting mats for the monks. Knowing this, the monks from the group of six used sitting mats that were inappropriate in size. The sitting mats hung down from beds and benches, both in front and behind. The monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, “How can the monks from the group of six use such sitting mats?” … “Is it true, monks, that you do this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Preliminary ruling ‘If a monk is having a sitting mat made, it is to be made the right size.

This is the right size: two standard handspans long and one-and-a-half wide. If it exceeds that, it is to be cut down, and he commits an offense entailing confession.’” In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second substory