Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 24Giving Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaradāna
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THE SUTTA ON GIVING ROBES
Cīvaradāna (Vinaya Piṭaka)
Background
The Cīvaradāna Sutta, “Giving Robes,” belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, under the category of Pātimokkha Saṁvara, the monastic rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe in order to maintain pure discipline. This content is especially related to the proper way bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs receive, handle, and give robes.
Robes (cīvara) in Theravāda Buddhism are not merely necessities for covering the body, but also carry deep spiritual meaning. They symbolize renunciation, separation from the worldly life, and the attainment of the community of pure practice. Therefore, the giving of robes is carefully regulated in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in order to avoid violations such as greed, contention, or improper use of robes.
Main Content
According to the regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the giving and receiving of robes follow specific principles. When a male lay follower (upāsaka) or a female lay follower (upāsikā) wishes to offer robes to monastics, they should show reverence and follow the proper procedure. The donor should express the intention clearly, without hidden implications or other motives.
For bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs receiving robes, the sutta teaches that they must receive them carefully. If five or more bhikkhus witness the offering, it is considered official. The robes received must be used for lawful purposes of practice: covering the body, keeping warm, and protecting health so that one may continue to practice the Dharma.
The Vinaya also states that a bhikkhu must not ask for too many robes, must not greedily store up excess, and must be ready to relinquish them when necessary. If a bhikkhu has the standard three robes, that is sufficient as the minimum for daily practice.
Practical Meaning
The Cīvaradāna Sutta teaches us that even external matters such as clothing need to be managed with mindfulness (sati) and right understanding (sammā-diṭṭhi). Robes are not for display or personal expression, but to serve practice and realization.
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