Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

On Austerities 29In getting ('dirt-rags') one is not troubled and (this observance) will be anexample to good folk. This observance is proper to those who are doubt-freeand virtuous. One lives happily in this life. (This observance) will causeone to be liked by the people, and cause them to practise rightly. These arethe benefits of the observance of 'dirt-rags' praised by the Buddha, 1O. How many kinds of 'dirt-rags' are there? Who observes?" Howdoes one fail?A. There are two kinds of 'dirt-rags'. The first: 'dirt-rags' which areownerless, the second: 'dirt-rags' which are thrown away by people.Those which one picks up in a cemetery, from a dirt-heap, in the street,or from the road-side and cuts, dyes, pieces together, sews to completion anduses, are called " 'dirt-rags' which are ownerless". Remnants of cut-cloth,torn pieces of cattle-bitten, mouse-gnawed or burnt cloth and cloth thrownaway, cloth on corpses, and cast-off cloth of ascetics are called " 'dirt-rags'which are thrown away by people".What is the observance of 'dirt-rags'? When a bhikkhu refuses theofferings of householders, it is called the observance of 'dirt-rags'.How does one fail? When a bhikkhu accepts the offerings of householders,it is called failing.'THREE ROBES'How does one undertake to observe (the austerity of) 'three robes' ?One immediately gives up one's extra robes. Knowing the fault of keeping(extra robes) and seeing the benefits of the observance of 'three robes', (oneundertakes thus:) "I refuse extra robes from today and observe (the austerityof) 'three robes'".What are the benefits of the observance of 'three robes'? It is an observanceof good men. A bhikkhu gives up the hoarding of unnecessaries,lessens troubles and becomes modest. As a bird on wing that does not yearnfor what it leaves behind is filled with content, so is he. [405] One gets afollowing of good men. This observance is doubt-free.Q. What are 'three robes'? What is the observance? How does onefail?A. Shoulder cloak, 3 upper garment 4 and waist-cloth. 5 These are called'three robes'.What is the observance of 'three robes'? When a bhikkhu does nothoard extra robes, it is called the observance of 'three robes'. When a bhikkhuaccepts a fourth robe, it is called failing.1. A. 11F, 219: 'Vannitam buddhehi buddhasdvakehW2. According to the explanation which follows, this should be "what is the observance of'dirt-rags* ?""3. Sanghfiti. 4. Uttan'isanga. 5. Antaravdsaka.