Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 72Robe Size

Sugatacīvara Sutta - On the Size of the Robe

Background

The Sugatacīvara Sutta (Pāli: Sugatacīvarakhandhaka) is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically belonging to the Pātimokkha, the collection of basic disciplinary rules of the Buddhist Sangha. This text arose from concrete situations in the practice life of bhikkhus, when the Buddha Gotama saw the need to define clearly the making of the robes (cīvara) of his disciples.

In the Buddha’s time, the management of common property and monastic robes was a central concern of the Sangha. The robe was not only clothing that protected the body, but also a symbol of the renunciant life, the abandonment of sensual desire and worldly conditions. Therefore, the Buddha established detailed regulations concerning the size, material, and sewing of robes in order to ensure uprightness and simplicity in practice.

Main Content

The Sugatacīvara Sutta provides that the robes of bhikkhus must conform to certain standards of size. According to the Pāli tradition, the length and width of a robe must not be too large, in order to avoid greed or material waste. Specifically, the robe must cover the body appropriately, not so ample as to display luxury, but also not so narrow that it is insufficient for wearing.

The Buddha designated a standard size based on the physical measures of ordinary bhikkhus. Observing these standards is not only a practical matter, but also an expression of the Vinaya principle: integrity, moderation, and the removal of craving. Bhikkhus who do not observe this rule are regarded as violating the discipline and must undergo the corresponding consequences.

The text also relates to practical matters such as how to remedy a damaged robe, the mending of robes, and the handling of robes that do not meet the standard. This shows that the Vinaya is not a set of dry rules, but practical guidance helping the Sangha maintain discipline and unity.