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[Nishith Sutra: Penance for using a householder's seat]
12. A monk who sits on a householder's seat or approves of someone sitting on it. (He incurs a Laghu-Chaumasika penance.)
**Discussion:** There are many types of seats, such as beds and couches, that are not permissible or difficult to justify for a householder. A monk who goes to a householder's house for alms or other purposes is prohibited from sitting there and sleeping on a couch, etc., as stated in Dasavai. A. 6. This is also considered misconduct in Dasavai. A. 3.
Dasavai. A. 6 also mentions the faults of sitting in a householder's house, and it is considered permissible for the elderly, the sick, and the ascetic to sit there. However, sitting on a bed or couch is prohibited for everyone. This is the penance mentioned in the present Sutra.
Sutra 6 describes various types of backrests and cushions. If a householder's cloth is not on them, then according to that Sutra, there is no penance for sitting on them.
Thus, if a householder's seat, couch, etc., is made of wood, etc., and is easily justifiable, then a monk can accept it as "Padihari" and use it. If the chair, etc., is a seat with a support, then a monk can accept and use it. However, the Brihatkalpa U. 5 prohibits a nun from accepting a supported bed or seat. Uttara. A. 17 Ga. 19 calls someone who sits on a householder's seat a "Papi Shraman" (sinful monk).
Suy. Su. 1 A. 9 Ga. 21 prohibits sitting on a stool, couch, etc.
Therefore, a monk should not sit on these seats of a householder.
**Penance for treating a householder**
13. A monk who treats a householder or approves of someone treating a householder. (He incurs a Laghu-Chaumasika penance.)
**Discussion:** It is not permissible for a monk to prescribe medicine or other treatments for a householder's illness, or to perform any kind of surgery.
Uttara. A. 15 Ga. 8 prohibits various types of medical treatment. Dasavai. Chulikā 2 states that "a monk should not treat a householder." Dasavai. A. 8 Ga. 51 prohibits prescribing medicine to a householder. Dasavai. A. 3 Ga. 6 calls treating a householder (medical practice) misconduct. Dasavai. A. 3 Ga. 4 calls treating a householder (medical practice) misconduct.