Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 78Hiding Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaraapanidhāna
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Explanation of the Cīvaraapanidhāna Discourse (The Discourse on Hiding Robes)
Background
The Cīvaraapanidhāna discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, recorded among the regulations for the daily life of the bhikkhus. The Vinaya Pitaka is not a collection of rigid rules, but an expression of the spirit of practice and mutual respect in the renunciant community.
According to the historical context, this discourse arose from practical situations in the life of the Sangha. The Buddha and his disciples often encountered issues connected with personal property, especially robes, the most essential requisites of a bhikkhu. Hiding or not hiding robes relates to the psychology of attachment to material things and proper self-respect.
This discourse was recorded when the Buddha and the Sangha needed to establish clear guidelines regarding the attitude toward personal property, in order to preserve the spirit of humility and train the mind to dwell in impermanence (anicca).
Main Content
The Cīvaraapanidhāna discourse concerns the matter of monastics not hiding or deliberately concealing their robes, whether because of uncertainty about ownership or a desire to protect property. This reflects a basic principle in the Vinaya Pitaka: purity (pārisuddhī) of action and intention.
In the Theravāda spirit, a bhikkhu owns only minimal property: the three robes (ticīvaraṃ), an alms bowl (pattaṃ), and a few other requisites. The robe is regarded as a symbol of restraint and renunciation. Hiding robes not only violates the principle of practice, but also reflects a psychology of concealment, negatively affecting the purity of the mind (citta pārisuddhī).
The discourse teaches that the robes of a bhikkhu should be managed openly, reasonably, and without attachment. If a robe is torn, the practitioner should report it and repair it. If a new robe is needed, this too should be done through the official channels of the Sangha. This expresses transparency and non-attachment.
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