Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 2Staying Apart From Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Udosita
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SUTTA UDOSITA: STAYING APART FROM MONASTIC ROBES
Background
The Udosita Sutta (Staying Apart from Robes) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically within the section on Nissaggiya Pācittiya — offenses involving forfeiture and confession. This sutta was recorded in the context of the Buddha establishing rules governing the possessions of bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, with the aim of protecting the purity of the Saṅgha.
Udosita means "separated" or "left aside unused." The sutta pertains to monastic robes — an essential possession of one who has gone forth. In the Theravāda tradition, robes (cīvara) are not merely practical articles; they are also a symbol of the complete severance of one's ties to household and worldly life.
This rule came into being when the Buddha observed certain bhikkhus being negligent in the care of their robes — leaving them outside the monastery, leaving them at the homes of acquaintances, or failing to keep them properly. This gave rise to disputes and losses, and disturbed the peace of the Saṅgha.
Main Content
The Udosita Sutta stipulates that a bhikkhu or bhikkhuni is not permitted to leave his or her robes scattered about, nor to remain separated from them for an extended period without a specific arrangement in place. If a bhikkhu leaves his robes in a separate location — for example, at a private person's home, or in a place where no one is keeping watch over them — without any intention of using them or any clear purpose, this is regarded as an offense.
The penalty for this offense is Nissaggiya Pācittiya — the bhikkhu must forfeit the robes, bow in acknowledgment (mithuna) before the Saṅgha or before a fellow bhikkhu, confess the offense, and only then may the robes be returned for use. This rule does not apply when the bhikkhu has legitimate reasons, such as leaving the robes at the monastery to be washed, dried, or left in the care of a trustworthy bhikkhu for safekeeping.
The spirit of this rule is to teach bhikkhus not to be irresponsible with their possessions, even possessions of the most minimal kind. It encourages vigilance, mindfulness, and accountability with regard to essential requisites.
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