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## Sixteenth Discourse
[357] The mention of keeping three sheets is clear in the Agamas, and in the commentary of this sutra, it is stated that a Jain monk who has a begging bowl or is a holder of a bowl should keep one, two, or three sheets.
In Acharanga Sutra 1, Chapter 8, Verses 4-5-6, there is a description of a monk who is a holder of possessions regarding clothing. There too, there is a description of a monk who wears three garments [sheets], two garments, one garment, and a monk who wears only a loincloth and a shawl.
In the description of the "Uṇodari" (wearing a single garment) of clothing, it is stated in the original text to keep one garment [sheet]. In the commentary, it is also said that keeping two sheets is also considered "Uṇodari" of clothing. Therefore, the number of sheets is clear in the Agamas and their commentaries.
In Acharanga Sutra 2, Chapter 5, Verse 1, after mentioning six types of garments, it is stated that "A monk who is young and healthy should wear one garment, i.e., only one type of garment, not another." It is not appropriate to interpret this statement as referring to the number of sheets, because here only the type of garment is prescribed, and in the previous Agamas, there is a clear mention of keeping three sheets for both Jain monks and those who hold possessions. The description of "Uṇodari" of clothing also proves that keeping multiple sheets is permissible. Therefore, it is in accordance with the Agamas to interpret the text of Acharanga Sutra as meaning that a capable monk should wear only one type of garment, and it should be understood that performing "Uṇodari" tapasya by keeping less than three sheets, i.e., two or one sheet, is optional.
In the commentary verse 5807, it is stated that Jain monks, those who hold possessions, etc., can keep three, two, or one sheet, but a "Sthavirakalpi" (senior monk) should keep three sheets as a rule.
In the commentary verse 5794, the medium size of a sheet is stated as 33423 hands, and the excellent size as 4423 hands. This means that a young monk should keep a sheet that is three and a half hands long, and an elderly monk should keep a sheet that is four hands long.
In the study of "Vastraishana" (clothing) in Acharanga Sutra, the width of a nun's sheets is stated as four hands, three hands, and two hands. There is no mention of the length. However, the length is always greater than the width, so the tradition of keeping a sheet that is five hands long is appropriate.
In Uttara Adhyayana 26, in the section on "Pratilekhana" (copying), the statement "Chha Purima Nav Khodha" also suggests that the excellent length of a sheet should be five hands.
The three sizes of four sheets mentioned for nuns are not all of the same length and width. Similarly, the three sheets of a monk are not all the same. Since the Agamas do not mention their measurements, they can be made smaller or larger according to their usefulness and need.
The commentary mentions only one type of width for a sheet, i.e., two and a half hands. It is not appropriate to consider this as applicable to all three sheets according to the Agamas. Therefore, the length and width of all three sheets of a monk can vary. Currently, a sheet that is five hands long and three hands wide is commonly used.