- 1. Saṅghâti, a double cloak.
- 2. Uttarâsaṅga, an upper garment.
- 3. Antarvâsa, an inner garment.
- 4. Nishidana, a mat for sitting or lying on.
- 5. (Nivâsana), an under garment.
- 6. Prati-nivâsana (a second nivâsana).
- 7. Saṅkakshikâ, a side-covering cloth.
- 8. Prati-saṅkakshikâ (a second saṅkakshikâ).
- 9. (Kâya-proñkhana), a towel for wiping the body.
- 10. (Mukha-proñkhana), a towel for wiping the face.
- 11. (Kesapratigraha), a piece of cloth used for receiving hair when one shaves.
- 12. (Kandupratikkhadana), a piece of cloth for covering itches.
- 13. (Bheshagaparishkarâkivara)*, a cloth kept for defraying the cost of medicine (in case of necessity).
It is expressed in a Gâthâ as follows:—
- The three garments, the sitting mat (1, 2, 3, 4).
- A couple of petticoats and capes (5, 6, 7, 8).
- Towels for the body and face, a shaving-cloth (9, 10, 11).
- A cloth for itching and a garment for medicament (12, 13).
These thirteen Necessaries are allowed to any priest to possess—this is the established rule, and one should use these according to the Buddha's teaching. These thirteen, therefore, must not be classed with any other properties of luxury, and these items should be catalogued separately, and be marked, and kept clean and safe.
Whatever you obtain of the thirteen you may keep, but do not trouble to possess all of them. All other luxurious dress not mentioned above should be kept distinct from these necessaries, but such things as woollen gear or carpets may be received and used in compliance with the intention of the givers. Some are wont to speak of the three garments and ten necessaries, but this division is not found in the Indian text, the thirteen having been divided into two groups by some translators on their own authority. They specially mention the three garments, and further allow the ten things to be possessed. But what are the ten things ? They could never exactly point them out, and thus allowed some cunning commentators to take advantage of this omission,
