Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 83Not Returning Robes Ceremonially Offered During Ordination

Scripture Commentary: Not Returning Robes Ceremonially Offered During Ordination

Background

This rule appears in the Nissaggiya Pācittiya section of the Theravāda Vinaya, the rules concerning offenses that require forfeiture and confession. It reflects practical issues that arose as the Sangha expanded, when many benefactors among the people offered requisites for practice to newly ordained bhikkhus.

Historical formation: After the Buddha established the Sangha, devotees voluntarily offered robes, alms bowls, and necessary requisites to bhikkhus. However, when one who had gone forth returned to lay life on his own initiative or abandoned the initial training, such persons sometimes did not return the donated items. This caused disputes over ownership and the purity of the Sangha. Therefore, the Buddha established a clear rule for handling robes ceremonially offered (upajjhāya-parikkhāra, that is, robes offered for the preceptor).

Main Content

According to the Vinaya, when a bhikkhu receives robes ceremonially offered during the going-forth ceremony, that is, cloth offered to the teacher or to the monastic community, he has a legal responsibility under the Dharma to return these items if he abandons the training or is expelled from the Sangha.

If that bhikkhu does not return the robes ceremonially offered, this is considered a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense. “Nissaggiya” (requiring forfeiture) means that the bhikkhu must voluntarily return the offending item to the Sangha before making confession. “Pācittiya” (confession) is the next step, requiring the bhikkhu to admit this fault before another bhikkhu.

This rule applies especially to cloth robes offered formally, with witnesses, in the context of the ordination rite. Ordinary robes or privately given robes may follow different rules. The reason for establishing this rule is to protect the confidence of donors.