clw_uk wrote:Uccasayana-mahasayana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.
Does this mean sleeping on the floor, or sleeping on a blanket?
What is the defining line between luxury and asceticism?
Q1
The length mentioned in the vinaya equivalent of this rule is only for the legs (I would include any part not the seat or part one lies on such as a bed stead) of the "resting place", not of the mattress, cushion....
the actual length is hard to assess accurately. but I favour Ajahn Thanissaros interpretation which can be found in
pācittiyā 87 and discussed in
Appendix 2. But I have seen the maximum height given as up to 65cm before.
Q2 (I read the rest of the thread before answering this one)
the motive behind undertaking this precept is to be able to be satisfied with what is at hand, we cannot always have a comfy bed (or any luxury for that matter), or expect it as a given so being able to relinquish luxuries (even if it is by choice or once a week) helps us face hardship more equanimously.
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.
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...
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