Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 89Rainy-Season Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vassikasāṭikā
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Explanation of the Vassikasāṭikā Sutta (Rainy-Season Cloth)
Background
The Vassikasāṭikā Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon and reflects regulations governing property and monastic life in the Sangha. The word vassa means the rains, and sāṭikā means a robe or undercloth; therefore, this sutta concerns rules for the issuing and use of cloth garments during the rainy-season retreat.
In the historical context, as Buddhism developed, the Sangha needed clear rules to regulate the use of communal property, especially necessities of survival. The rains retreat (vassa) was a period when bhikkhus could not travel for the Dharma, going out to teach, but had to remain in the monastery. During this period, the need for clothing, especially undergarments to prevent illness, became more urgent. This sutta therefore lays down a fair method for distributing and using cloth garments.
According to the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the foundation of the Sangha, helping to manage the monastic community in an orderly, harmonious, and unified way. Each rule is not an arbitrary restriction, but an insight from the Blessed One to protect the community and promote practice.
Main Content
The Vassikasāṭikā Sutta states that during the rainy season, bhikkhus are permitted to receive cloth garments provided by laypeople or from the monastery store. However, receiving, using, and preserving these garments must follow strict principles. The garments are issued to protect health, keep warmth, and prevent illness in the damp weather of the rainy season.
The main regulations include these: bhikkhus may not store up more garments than necessary; when the rains retreat ends, the garments must be gathered according to the permitted procedure; and one may not independently sell, give away, or transfer one’s garment without the witnessing of the Sangha. If a garment is damaged or no longer usable, it must be reported to the steward.
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