Lzh Mg Bi Pm Np 24Taking Back Robe-Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaraacchindana
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Commentary on the Cīvaraacchindana Sutta
(The Sutta on Taking Back Robe-Cloth)
Background
The Cīvaraacchindana Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically within the section of the Pātimokkha Nuns' Rules (the rules for bhikkhunīs). The Vinaya Piṭaka is a collection of training rules together with the origin stories that gave rise to them, established by the Buddha or senior disciples in order to protect harmony within the Sangha and to guide bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs along the path of liberation.
The origin story of this rule arose from a particular situation within the early monastic community. It concerns the management of personal belongings, especially robe-cloth (cīvara)—one of the four requisites of monastics. During the time when the Buddha was still living, bhikkhunīs sometimes encountered disputes relating to the sharing, borrowing, or retention of one another's robe-cloth. This sutta records how such situations were to be handled in accordance with the ethical principles and discipline of the Sangha.
Main Content
The Cīvaraacchindana Sutta lays down regulations concerning the reclaiming or restoration of ownership of robe-cloth in specific circumstances. According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, robe-cloth is regarded as the personal property of each bhikkhu and bhikkhunī, yet its use must still conform to the principles of non-covetousness (anabhijjhā) and non-concealment (aticchanda).
This sutta typically pertains to situations such as: when a bhikkhunī lends her robe-cloth to another, but the borrower does not return it within the appointed time; or when there is a misunderstanding regarding whether the transaction was a loan or a gift. The Vinaya stipulates that if a piece of robe-cloth is considered to have been "severed" from its original ownership (acchindana), then the rightful owner is entitled to request its return, provided that the formal procedure of the Sangha is followed.
The procedure for reclaiming robe-cloth must be carried out before the assembly of the Sangha, and there must be clear evidence demonstrating that the robe-cloth in question genuinely belongs to the person making the claim.
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