Lzh Mu Bu Pm 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.
The Upakkhata Sutta: Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund
Background
This text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the body of literature regulating the life of the Sangha in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka includes three main parts: Suttavibhaṅga (detailed explanation of the rules), Khandhaka (communal regulations), and Parivāra (summary of the rules). Upakkhata belongs to the context of managing the common property of the Sangha, especially the robe fund (cīvaradhana) intended for the monastic community.
During the Buddha’s lifetime, lay followers devotedly contributed robes to a common fund for the Sangha to use according to need. However, when monks wished to receive robes from this fund, they had to follow clear principles in order to avoid abuse, waste, or unfairness. The Upakkhata Sutta concerns a situation in which a monk asks for fine, better robes from the common fund, the offense involved, and the corresponding handling of the matter.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya rule, the robe fund is established to ensure that all monks have robes suitable to the standards of practice. However, this text emphasizes that a monk should not have a mind of craving, should not intentionally ask for robes better than necessary, or ask repeatedly while not yet having used up old robes.
A violation occurs when a monk is “upakkhata,” that is, when he asks for a fine and delicate robe beyond the standard or without following the fair order. This action is regarded as a lack of cultivation, reflecting a desire that has not been restrained. The Vinaya states that when this is discovered, the Sangha must discuss it and take corrective measures, which may include admonition, temporary loss of privileges, or appropriate forms of penance.
The text also clarifies the distinction between reasonable need, such as a robe for covering the body and suitable for the climate, and greed, such as wanting a beautiful, superior, luxurious robe.
🌏 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.