Lzh Mi Bu Pm Np 9Requesting Fine Robes From a Combined Robe Fund

Dutiyaupakkhata Sutta: Requesting Fine Robes from a Common Robe Fund

Background

This text is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the foundational body of teaching in Theravāda Buddhism. Dutiyaupakkhata, a Pāli name meaning “the second proposal,” is a rule related to the management of the common property of the Sangha, especially daily requisites such as robes.

In the Buddha’s lifetime, monks and nuns did not possess personal property beyond the prescribed limit. Each person kept only the three standard robes. However, at times the Sangha possessed a common fund (saṅghika) for purchasing better robes, especially in cases of want or hardship. This text deals with the rules by which monks and nuns may properly request fine robes from this fund, without causing dispute or violating the spirit of renunciation.

Main Content

Dutiyaupakkhata is based on the principle that the Sangha is a community with a common system of management. When a common robe fund has been established, whether from donated items or from income belonging to monastic property, any monk or nun has the lawful right (Dhamma) to request fine robes from it, provided that the correct procedure is followed.

This text makes clear: a monastic may not take a robe on their own authority, but must inform the fund or the fund manager. The process of requesting a robe must be public and verified by the Sangha. If the robe is considered a valuable item (atirekkha), its use must be permitted through voting or a common standard. This ensures transparency and avoids suspicions of greed (lobha) or unfairness.

In particular, the text emphasizes that the distinction between “requesting” (pucchati) and “taking for oneself” (ādiyati) is very important. Taking Sangha property for oneself without permission is a violation of one of the major prohibitions, because it reflects craving and a lack of respect for communal law.