Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 26Giving Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaradāna
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The Sutta on Giving Robes (Cīvaradāna)
Background
The Sutta on Giving Robes (Cīvaradāna) is found in the Vinaya Pitaka, the second of the three baskets of the Theravāda Buddha Dharma. Unlike the Sutta Pitaka, which presents teachings on mind and liberation, the Vinaya Pitaka regulates the precepts and discipline for the community of monks and nuns. Its purpose is not abstract doctrine, but the building of an ethical and practical disciplinary foundation that helps monks and nuns practice in purity.
The Sutta on Giving Robes revolves around a specific disciplinary issue related to the giving of robes to bhikkhus. In Theravāda Buddhism, robes are one of the four requisites that bhikkhus need in order to sustain the life of practice: clothing, food, lodging, and medicine. However, the question of how to give robes in accordance with the Noble Vinaya is not simple, because it is related to avoiding ambition, greed, and unfair preference within the Sangha.
Main Content
This sutta sets out the basic principles for giving robes. In the Theravāda community of monks and nuns, robes are given according to certain rules: they should not be given in excess, should not be reserved for only a few people, and must follow fairness. When robes are given, the donor should have a mind of loving-kindness (mettā), without expectation or desire for gain. Conversely, the bhikkhu who receives robes should have a mind of contentment (santutti) and should not constantly think about whether robes are good or poor.
The Vinaya Pitaka records many specific cases that the Buddha resolved concerning this matter. Disputes in the Sangha about the distribution of robes, or greedy actions in seeking robes, are all admonished as violations of the Noble Vinaya. This clearly reflects a fundamental principle of Buddhism: practice is about reducing ambition, not increasing possession.
Practical Meaning
The Sutta on Giving Robes is not merely command or discipline. It contains a deep lesson about social life and ethics.
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