Mahavagga, Khandaka 6, Chapter 9

1. Now at that time the venerable Belaṭṭhasīsa, the superior of the venerable Ānanda, had a disease of thick scabs; and by reason of the discharge thereof his robes stuck to his body. The Bhikkhus moistened those robes with water, and loosened them (from his body).

The Blessed One as he was wandering in search of a lodging-place for the night saw them [doing so], and going up to the place where they were, he asked them:

'What is the matter, O Bhikkhus, with this Bhikkhu?'

'The venerable one has the disease of thick scabs; and by reason of the discharge thereof his robes stick to his body. So we moisten those robes with water, and loosen them (from his body).'

2. Then the Blessed One on that occasion, having delivered a religious discourse, addressed the Bhikkhus, and said:

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, the use of chunam as a medicine by whomsoever has the itch, or boils, or a discharge, or scabs, or whose body is ill-smelling, and to those in health the use of dry dung^[2], and of clay, and of colouring matter^[3]. I allow the use, O Bhikkhus, of a pestle and mortar^[4].'

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This introductory story recurs as the introduction to the rule laid down in VIII, 17.

[2]:

Chakanan ti gomayaṃ (B.).

[3]:

Rajana-pakkan (sic) ti raganakasaṭaṃ. Pākaṭika-cuṇṇam pi koṭetvā udakena temetvā nhāyituṃ vaṭṭati, etam pi rajana-nipakka-saṃkhepam (sic, read saṃkham) eva gacchati (B.). Saṭaṃ in this passage must be equal to sṛtaṃ. On saṃkhaṃ compare below, Mahāvagga VI, x6, r.

[4]:

Compare above, VI, 3, 2.