Lzh Dg Bu Pm Np 25Taking Back Robe-Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaraacchindana
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Sutta on Taking Back a Robe (Cīvaraacchindana)
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pātimokkha section in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to regulate the rules of practice for the community of monks and nuns, in order to maintain internal discipline and protect the spirit of the path. The rules on robes (cīvara) are especially important because the robe is not only clothing, but a symbol of renunciation and the commitment to live a life of wisdom.
According to the Theravada tradition, the robe consists of three pieces of cloth sewn to cover the body, made according to a prescribed pattern. The possession, use, and handling of robes are all specifically regulated. The Cīvaraacchindana Sutta refers to the situation in which a monk gives rise to a bad intention and wants to take back a robe from another person improperly or outside the permitted conditions.
Main Content
The specific content of this sutta has not been fully translated in the available materials; however, according to the general context of the Theravada Vinaya Piṭaka, this sutta clearly regulates the cases in which a monk may take back his robe, and when he is not permitted to do so.
Specifically, the Buddha taught that if a monk has given a robe to another person, whether as a gift or by informal placement, then once it has been handed over he may not arbitrarily take it back without the recipient's consent. However, if the recipient is not a mature monastic or Buddhist, or if the robe has been damaged or torn apart (the word "acchindana" means "torn, ripped"), there are exceptional conditions.
This law arises from a basic principle: respect for lawful ownership (sāmissavatthu) and avoidance of disputes over property. The Buddha did not want monks and nuns to contend over material things, because this contradicts the ideal of renunciation in Buddhism.
Practical Meaning
This sutta teaches integrity and trust within the community of practice. Instead of disputing over material things, practitioners should focus on training the mind.
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