Cullavagga - Sixth Khandhaka: Chapter 8

1. Now at that time people arranged in the eating-rooms, or in the interior
courtyards of their houses, lofty and large couches, such as [here follows the
list of things forbidden in Mahâvagga V, 10, 4]. The Bhikkhus, fearing to
offend, would not sit down upon them.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to sit down on seats arranged by laymen--excepting
three, (that is to say) large cushions, divans, mattresses 1--but not to lie
down upon them.'
Now at that time people put in the eating-rooms, or in the courtyards, stuffed
couches and stuffed chairs. The Bhikkhus, fearing to offend, would not sit down
on them.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to sit down on any [such] things arranged by laymen,
but not to lie down upon them 2.'



Footnotes
197:1 These are Nos. 1, 2, and 7 in the list just referred to, and may be kept
if treated in the way laid down in VI, 14, 2 below.
197:2 This rule has already occurred in identical terms at Mahâvagga V, 11.
Probably both here and there the word such, which we have here added in
brackets, is to be understood.