<p>See pages 564 and 565 of <a href="https://www.dhammatalks.org/Archive/Writings/Ebooks/BMC1&amp;2_220701.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The Pāṭimokkha Rules
Translated &amp; Explained</a> by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu</p>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Should any bhikkhu who is not ill, seeking to warm
himself, kindle a fire or have one kindled—unless there is
a suitable reason—it is to be confessed.</p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<p>The explanation includes,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>There is no offense if one lights a fire or has one lit for purposes other
than warming oneself.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>and</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In addition, there is no offense in warming oneself at raked-out coals
or at a fire lit by someone else (not at one’s request).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>and</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The purpose of this rule is suggested by AN 5:219, which lists the
five disadvantages of sitting around a fire: It is bad for one’s eyes, bad for
one’s skin, bad for one’s strength, and (most importantly, in this context)
groups tend to form (that can turn into factions), and they spend their
time in animal talk.</p>
<p>Summary: Lighting a fire to warm oneself—or having it lit—when one
does not need the warmth for one’s health is a pācittiya offense</p>
</blockquote>
<p>You're also not allowed to light a fire on soil -- because that's counted as (and covered by the rule against) digging soil.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-11-26T17:27:03.810Z
2023-11-26T19:09:34.797Z
2023-11-26T19:09:34.797Z
ChrisW
<p>Fire ceremonies are likely categorized as ‘rites and rituals’, but is/was the basic usage of fire for warmth prohibited by monastic rules?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-11-26T13:12:22.790Z
I haven’t read of any such rule.
SacrificialEquation
<vinaya><sangha><rules>
Is fire-making allowed?
# Is fire-making allowed?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-11-26)

Fire ceremonies are likely categorized as ‘rites and rituals’, but is/was the basic usage of fire for warmth prohibited by monastic rules?

**Tags:** vinaya, sangha, rules

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I haven’t read of any such rule.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2023-11-26. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

See pages 564 and 565 of [The Pāṭimokkha Rules
Translated & Explained](https://www.dhammatalks.org/Archive/Writings/Ebooks/BMC1&2_220701.pdf) by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu

> > Should any bhikkhu who is not ill, seeking to warm
> > himself, kindle a fire or have one kindled—unless there is
> > a suitable reason—it is to be confessed.

The explanation includes,

> There is no offense if one lights a fire or has one lit for purposes other
> than warming oneself.

and

> In addition, there is no offense in warming oneself at raked-out coals
> or at a fire lit by someone else (not at one’s request).

and

> The purpose of this rule is suggested by AN 5:219, which lists the
> five disadvantages of sitting around a fire: It is bad for one’s eyes, bad for
> one’s skin, bad for one’s strength, and (most importantly, in this context)
> groups tend to form (that can turn into factions), and they spend their
> time in animal talk.
>
> Summary: Lighting a fire to warm oneself—or having it lit—when one
> does not need the warmth for one’s health is a pācittiya offense

You're also not allowed to light a fire on soil -- because that's counted as (and covered by the rule against) digging soil.


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