Lzh Mu Bi Vb Np 8Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upakkhata
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Upakkhata Sutta
Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund
Background
The Upakkhata text is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, belonging to the code of Buddhist monastics in the Early Buddhist tradition. It is part of the Pāṭimokkha, the basic controls that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. This text appears in the context of managing the common property of the Saṅgha, especially funds dedicated to providing robes for members of the monastic community.
In the time of the Buddha, the Sangha possessed a collective fund called a robe fund, used to support members in need. However, to avoid greed and unfairness, the Buddha laid down clear regulations concerning how robes may be requested from this fund. The Upakkhata text is one of the rules concerning the act of asking for robes that are too costly or too fine, exceeding actual need.
Main Content
This text deals with the case of a bhikkhu asking to take from the common robe fund a robe whose value is too high or whose quality far exceeds essential need. Upakkhata (upa = additional, kkhata = cut/selected) means "requesting an additional better portion," that is, when a monastic does not merely ask for a basic robe but deliberately chooses fine, expensive robes from the common fund.
The rule states that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should request robes suitable for the purpose of practice, generally fixed, appropriate pieces of cloth sufficient for use. If anyone asks for robes that are too fine or too expensive, they violate the spirit of non-greed (alobha) and fairness in distributing Sangha property. This act is considered an abuse of authority and a violation of the trust of the Sangha.
The Buddha taught that monastics should enjoy only what is necessary to sustain the body for the path of practice. The robe (cīvara) is one of the four basic requisites (cattāri nissaya) of a bhikkhu, alongside food, lodging, and medicine. Therefore, placing too much importance on robes is a sign of material ambition, contrary to the Buddha’s teaching.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.