Lzh Mi Bi Pm Np 8Excessive Prompting for Robe Funds
Pāli / Sanskrit:Rāja
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The Discourse on Greedy Solicitation for Robe Cloth Funds (Rāja)
Background
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pātimokkha section, the basic rules of discipline that Buddhist monastics must observe. The context in which the discourse arose was during the lifetime of the Buddha, while he was living in monastic dwellings. Some monastic teachers, lacking contentment with material conditions or paying excessive attention to their daily needs, began to act improperly: they too eagerly encouraged, pressured, or “troubled” laypeople to donate money for buying cloth to make robes (kasāva), instead of silently receiving only what was voluntarily offered.
This conduct violates the spirit of Nekkhamma (renunciation of desire), one of the fundamental states that renunciants must cultivate. The Buddha recognized this and laid down specific rules to prevent “excessive prompting” for robe-cloth funds.
Main Content
The discourse stipulates that monastics are not permitted to encourage, pressure, or in subtle ways suggest that laypeople donate money or materials to buy cloth for robes. Although robes are necessary for the monastic life, the manner of requesting must accord with the Vinaya, the discipline.
The conduct of “cleverly hinting” (anussāsana or vipaccanīkamma), such as repeatedly speaking about the condition of old robes, describing discomfort, or creating a sense of obligation, is regarded as contrary to the Vinaya. It creates an unhealthy relationship between monastics and laypeople, turning support into manipulation.
This discourse emphasizes that monastics must truly relinquish material expectations. They must remain silent and sincerely receive what is voluntarily provided, never actively and eagerly requesting it. This expresses Parinissaggānupassanā, contemplation of complete relinquishment.
Practical Meaning
The discourse teaches us a profound lesson about purity of mind (alobha): non-greed and non-attachment to material things.
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