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HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
259
Size of Clothing :
The size of clothing differed according to different individuals (ātmapramāņa), and the commentary to the Oghaniryukti247 explains the proper size to be that which covered the shoulders and remained on them. It was two and a half hands in length.248 Any shortening or lengthening of clothes was not allowed.249
Clothes of the Jinakalpikas and the Sthavirakalpikas :
It may be noted that the number of three clothes (pacchāgā) was common for both the Jinakalpika and the Sthavirakalpika monks.250
But besides these three coverings, the monks of the Sthavirakalpa mode of life used one more piece of cloth called the Colapatta.251
The purpose of using the colapatta was either to conceal one's distorted penis in case it was so,252 or to avoid it being affected by an attack from vātika (?), or in case the monk felt ashamed to go about naked, or to hide one's abnormally long penis, or lastly to avoid getting passionate at the sight of women.253
The size of the piece was such that, on being folded once (duguna) or twice (caügguna), it got reduced to a square piece with each side measuring one hand in length. Both the young as well as the old monks put it on, and the former donned it by twice folding the piece, while the older members of the community put it on by folding it only once. The youthful monks wore a broader colapatta while old monks put on such a one as was smaller in breadth 254 Unfit Clothes :
The monks were disallowed the use of complete pieces (kasiņa) of cloth. They were allowed to wear only torn clothes or pieces of clothes.255 So also such clothes as were unfit for monks and had no capacity for lasting long were to be avoided. Decorative clothes as were embroidered with gold,
247. P. 213b. 248. Ibid., 705. 249. Ibid., 727. 250. Ibid., 669. 251. Bhag. 37b; Ogha-N. 34, 35, 670, 721.
252. The Comm. on the Ogha-N. p. 216a mentions that among the Southerners, the practice of cutting the penis and putting a ring over it was to be found.
253. Ogha-N. 722. 254. Ibid., 721. 255. Bșh, kalp. 3, 7-10; Nis. 2, 22-24.
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