________________
218
KULLAVAGGA.
VI, 20, 1.
bear - skin, and a kakkali' rug, and a kolaka cloth 2.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to use them as mats to wipe your feet on 3.'
20.
1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus walked over the mats used for sleeping upon with unwashen or wet feet, or with their sandals on; and the matting was soiled.
They told these matters to the Blessed One.
You are not, O Bhikkhus, to do so. Whosoever does, shall be guilty of a dukkata '
2. Now at that time the Bhikkhus spat on the newly prepared floor, and the colour was spoilt.
According to VI, 2, 2, and VI, 3, 5, this could also be used as a screen or curtain over the space in a wall left for a window.
? According to Mahavagga VIII, 18, this might be used to wipe faces with; and according to KuHavagga V, 9, 4, VI, 19, to place crockery or furniture on. The word kola means simply cotton cloth, but it is clear from these passages that kolaka has some special connotation.
Not to sit upon. - With this should be compared the other rule in Mahâvagga V, 6, 1, according to which the Bhikkhus were to wear sandals when getting upon bedsteads or chairs, lest these should become soiled. The two passages are parallel in wording throughout.
Parikammakataya. The floors were of earth, not of wood, and were restored from time to time by fresh clay or dry cowdung being laid down, and then covered with a whitewash, in which sometimes black or red (geruka) was mixed. See above, V, II, 6; VI, 3, 1; 17, 1; 27. From the parallel passage at Mahavagga I, 25, 15, and Kullavagga VIII, 3, 1, it would seem that the red colouring was used rather for walls, and the black one for floors.
Digitized by Google
