Lzh Mi Bi Pm Np 5Accepting Too Many Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Tatuttari
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Tatuttari Sutta: Explanation of Accepting Too Many Robes
Background
The Tatuttari Sutta (Tatutta + ri, meaning “too many times”) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the collection of rules of practice and discipline for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not an arbitrary order of punishment, but practical guidance intended to protect the purity of the Sangha and the Buddha’s teaching.
The context of this discourse arose from specific situations in the early bhikkhu community. When bhikkhus or donors attempted to express reverence by offering too many robes (civara), exceeding actual need and the regulations of the community, this could lead to ambition, negligence in practice, and especially the unlimited accumulation of property. Therefore, the Buddha established rules on how to accept robes in order to maintain humility and non-attachment to material things.
Main Content
The Tatuttari Sutta addresses a specific issue: a bhikkhu should not accept too many robes beyond the number prescribed in the discipline, usually the three minimum robes (uttarāsaṅga, antaravāsaka, saṅghāti), together with seasonal additional robes. If a bhikkhu needs additional robes because old robes are torn or damaged, he may request them, but must observe the lawful purpose, namely to maintain proper covering of the body, not to store them up or sell them later.
This rule also requires bhikkhus to be grateful to donors. Rather than accepting everything offered, a bhikkhu should know moderation (mattañña), that is, awareness of the proper measure. This shows respect for the mind and capacity of donors, while also protecting oneself from spiritual deterioration caused by ambition.
Another important aspect is that this rule helps avoid conflicts within the Sangha.
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