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[Nishith Sutra]
The use of iron and other similar vessels is prohibited. The four sutras presented here describe the atonement for accepting such vessels.
The Acharangasutra prohibits the acceptance of vessels made of iron, leather, and other similar materials, and describes them as being valuable.
Wooden, earthen, and gourd vessels are indicative of the humility of a monk. The Bhagavati Sutra, Chapter 3, Verse 1, describes the acceptance of wooden vessels by Talitas. The Uvvaiyasutra, in its description of ascetics and wanderers, mentions that they should only have three types of vessels: wooden, earthen, and gourd, and prohibits the use of many types of vessels.
Wooden, earthen, and gourd vessels are inexpensive and common, so there is no fear of them being stolen. Wooden and gourd vessels are also lightweight.
Iron and other similar vessels are heavy and valuable, hence their prohibition and atonement.
In the present day, monks and nuns also use plastic vessels. Plastic is considered to be made from a combination of wood and resin. Plastic vessels are lighter and cheaper than wooden vessels. They do not have the same disadvantages as iron vessels. However, they are not suitable for holding and consuming all types of food. Therefore, they are not as useful as the wooden, earthen, and gourd vessels prescribed by the scriptures.
Therefore,
The Acharangasutra mentions 17 types of prohibited vessels, which are generally the same in all manuscripts. However, the list mentioned in the present atonement sutra varies in different manuscripts, i.e., there are some differences in the order and names.
In many manuscripts of the Nishith Sutra, a total of 22 names are mentioned, of which 12 names are common in all manuscripts and 10 names are present in some manuscripts but not in others.
The twelve names are as follows:
1. Shray-payani, 2. Tamb-payani, 3. Tauy-payani, 4. Suvanna-payani, 5. Kans-payani, 6. Mani-payani, 7. Dant-payani, 8. Sing-payani, 9. Sankh-payani, 10. Chamm-payani, 11. Chel-payani, 12. Vahir-payani.
The ten names are as follows:
1. Sisag-payani, 2. Rupp-payani, 3. Jayaruv-payani, 4. Kanag-payani, 5. Hiranna-payani, 6. Ririy-payani, 7. Harpud-payani, 8. Kay-payani, 9. Sel-payani, 10. Ank-payani.
The Nishith Churni mentions four to five names and explains one or two words. The Acharangasutra commentary only explains one word and mentions its name. Therefore, there is no definitive solution to these textual variations.