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"If a monk or a nun wishes to investigate a vessel, they should know that it is a vessel made of gourd, wood, or clay. Of these, the vessel that is sturdy and well-made, suitable for a young Nigrantha, should be taken, not another."
The meaning is that this rule regarding the acceptance of one type of vessel out of three is in relation to the type of vessel, not the number. If it is understood without considering the context that only one vessel is permissible for a monk, not many, then this meaning contradicts many other scriptures. Because it is clear from the scriptures mentioned above that a Ganadhara, a monk who practices Pariharic tapas, and a monk who has taken a specific vow, can have multiple vessels.
If only one vessel is permissible for a young, healthy monk, then having multiple vessels would be considered a weakness and a deviation from the path. In such a situation, there would be no purpose in practicing Uṇodari tapas. However, the scriptures like Bhagavati Sutra clearly mention and explain the practice of Uṇodari tapas.
Therefore, the only interpretation that is free from contradictions is that this passage from Acharanga Sutra refers to the type of vessel that is permissible for a young monk, not the number.
This clarifies that a monk can have multiple vessels, but it does not specify how many.
The passage about the three layers clearly states that a minimum of four vessels is permissible. In addition, three types of containers are mentioned: 1. Uccaramaatraka, 2. Prasravaṇamaatraka, 3. Khelaamaatraka.
While Prasravaṇamaatraka is necessary for everyone, Khelaamaatraka and Uccaramaatraka are necessary for some due to specific reasons.
Based on this passage from Acharanga Sutra or other reasons, the commentators have argued that having one vessel and one container is permissible. They attribute the rule regarding the container to Aryarakshit. This topic has been discussed extensively elsewhere. However, this argument holds no significance in the face of the scriptures mentioned above, and there is no tradition of having only one or two vessels.
In the description of the vows taken during the acceptance of Gochchaga-samyama, the term "Gochchaga" is mentioned separately from the vessel.
In Uttaradhyayanasutra 26, after the mention of the inscription of the Mukhavastrika at sunrise, the inscription of the "Gochchaga" is mentioned. This is followed by the mention of the inscription of the garment. Then, after the measurement of one and a half porisi, the inscription of the vessel is mentioned.