Lzh Mi Bu Vb Np 13Taking Back Robe-Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaraacchindana
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The Cīvaraacchindana Sutta: On Taking Back a Robe
Background
The Cīvaraacchindana Sutta (On Taking Back a Robe) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the section on rules concerning the purity of female monastics. The Vinaya Piṭaka records in detail the training rules established by the Blessed One to maintain discipline in the community of monks and nuns.
According to the historical background of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the prohibitions in this section arose from incidents that occurred in the community of female monastics during the Buddha’s lifetime. A nun once committed a fault involving the improper use or possession of a robe. The matter became known to the Blessed One, and he established a rule to prevent similar situations in the future. This rule concerns not only the management of material things, but also respect for communal property and wholesome conduct (sīla) in the use of the Sangha’s property.
Main Content
This sutta deals with a specific situation: when a female monastic has received a robe from the Sangha, whether it can always be taken back without the consent of the original possessor. The Vinaya Piṭaka clearly determines that a robe, once given to a monastic, becomes that monastic’s property. However, if that monastic violates prohibitions in the Vinaya, the Sangha has the authority to impose discipline by reclaiming the robe.
This regulation distinguishes among different cases. If a female monastic voluntarily returns the robe, that is an action in accordance with the Dharma. But if the Sangha needs to take back the robe for disciplinary reasons, this must be done according to the proper procedure (samuggaṇhana-kammaṃ). Taking it back must not be done arbitrarily, but with the witness of the Sangha and for a valid reason.
The sutta also gives guidance on how to handle the property of monastics after they have been expelled or disciplined.
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