Bhikkhu Pesala wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 9:01 pm
... Old robes can be recycled as bed sheets, curtains, cushion covers, etc.
According to Kd 21.1.14, King Udena’s wife gave Ananda a generous gift of 500 robes – without asking his permission. He wasn’t particularly happy about that, so he questioned Ananda:
“But what can you, honourable Ananda, do with so many robes?”
“I will share them, your majesty, with those monks whose robes are worn thin.”
“But what will you do, good Ananda, with those old robes that are worn thin?”
“We will make them into upper coverings, your majesty.”
“But what will you do, good Ananda, with those upper coverings that are old?”
“We will make these into mattress coverings, your majesty.”
“But what will you do, good Ananda, with those mattress coverings that are old?”
“We will make them into ground coverings, your majesty.”
“But what will you do, good Ananda, with those ground coverings that are old?”
“We will make them into foot-wipers, your majesty.”
“But what will you do, good Ananda, with those foot-wipers that are old?”
“We will make them into dusters, your majesty.”
“But what will you do, good Ananda, with those dusters that are old?”
“Having torn them into shreds, your majesty, having kneaded them with mud, we will smear a plaster-flooring.”
It’s a great example of best-practice stewardship. History relates that King Udena was impressed – as he should have been! – and all ended well. I'm very glad to hear you're still doing it after all these years.
Kim