Lzh Mi Bu Vb Pc 27Sewing Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvarasibbana
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The Sutta on Sewing Robes (Cīvarasibbana)
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, regulations concerning robes (cīvara) are not merely administrative restrictions, but profound principles of practice. The Cīvarasibbana Sutta belongs to the Pātimokkha section of simple offences (Pācittiya), where lighter violations are recorded in comparison with grave offences, yet still require confession and correction.
The Buddha allowed bhikkhus to sew robes, the essential clothing of one gone forth, but he restricted how this was to be done. This regulation arose from specific situations when some bhikkhus failed to follow the spirit of practice, leading to improper conduct in the process of sewing monastic robes.
Main Content
The sutta states that a bhikkhu must not arbitrarily sew a robe without permission from the Sangha or without suitable supervision. In particular, sewing a robe must follow the principles regarding material, size, and method that have been laid down. If a bhikkhu sews a robe without following these regulations, he commits a Pācittiya offence, a violation requiring confession before another bhikkhu.
The specific regulation includes not using overly luxurious or undisciplined materials in sewing. The robe is a symbol of humility and acceptance of simple living conditions; therefore, the way of sewing the robe must also reflect this spirit. A bhikkhu must sew the robe in a proper way, not according to personal style or preference.
Practical Meaning
The regulations concerning sewing robes are not meaningless constraints, but tools of practice. Every action, from choosing the material to each stitch, is an opportunity to train mindfulness, attention, and the spirit of obedience to the Dharma. Observing this regulation helps a bhikkhu recognize that the renunciant life is about removing what is useless, not satisfying personal desires.
The robe, pieces of cloth sewn together from discarded rags, symbolizes the transformation of what has been abandoned into a noble use.
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