Lzh Dg Bu Pm Np 14A New Blanket Should be Kept for Six Years
Pāli / Sanskrit:Chabbassa
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Chabbassa Sutta: The New Robe and the Rule of Use
Background
The Chabbassa Sutta (chabbassa = six years) is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically among the rules on clothing and property for the Bhikkhunī Sangha. In the Theravada tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is built upon the rules the Buddha established to protect the discipline of the Sangha and harmonize communal life in the renunciant community.
The background of this sutta reflects practical concerns in managing the shared property of the monastic community. A robe (cīvara) is not merely ordinary clothing, but a symbol of humble living and liberation from material desire. The Buddha's establishment of a period of use for a new robe was meant to balance the needs of survival with the practice of diligent vows.
Main Content
According to the Chabbassa Sutta, a new robe (navacīvara) must be kept (avaropetabba) for six years (chabbassa). This means that a monk or nun should not discard or set aside a new robe before it has been used long enough to be considered "old" or "properly worn."
This rule arose from specific situations in the early monastic community. Some monastics left new robes unused for fear of violating humility, while others were too greedy in changing clothes. The Buddha laid down a clear rule to remove conjecture and to protect the product of the Sangha's shared labor.
This regulation is not only concerned with material things, but also reflects the principle of "Manda Aniruddha" (restraint and knowing contentment). If a monastic could discard a new robe after only a few months, this might show wastefulness and a lack of appreciation. The six-year rule ensures that every item is respected and used to its full value.
Practical Meaning
The Chabbassa Sutta teaches us patience, appreciation for what we possess, and especially a reasonable approach to communal property.
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