Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 106Borrowed Robes

The Rule on Borrowed Robes

Cīvarasaṅkamanīya — Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 106

Background

This rule belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha Dharma, where the rules of practice of the Buddhist Sangha are recorded in detail. The issue discussed in the rule concerns the management of robes by monks and nuns, one of the basic requisites of Buddhism.

When the Buddha was still living, he identified robes as one of the four necessary supports (catunissaya), together with food, medicine, and lodging. However, regulations concerning robes were not a simple matter. Monastics were not permitted to own too many robes, were not to be negligent in protecting them, and needed to manage them with dignity. This rule concerns the situation in which a monk, nun, or monastic borrows robes from another person for temporary use.

Main Content

According to the Vinaya Piṭaka rule, when a monastic borrows robes from outside the Sangha, not from the common property of the monastery or from a fellow practitioner, this must be handled carefully. The reason is that robes are regarded as part of personal property, and the “cīvara” rule concerning robes in the Vinaya Piṭaka is strict.

The content of Cīvarasaṅkamanīya concerns the handling of cases in which a monastic borrows robes from someone who is not a monastic or from householders. The rule stipulates that this is not an offense if it is done with clear knowledge on both sides and without any intention of concealment or deception. However, if the borrowing process is concealed or not straightforward, this may lead to violations of right livelihood or truthfulness in practice.

The important point is transparency and adherence to the principle of not possessing too many material things. A monastic should borrow robes only when truly necessary and must return them within a reasonable time. Moreover, borrowing must not become a way to evade the Vinaya Piṭaka rule on ownership of requisites.