Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 90Robe Size
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sugatacīvara
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
EXPLANATION OF THE SUGATACĪVARA SUTTA (ROBE SIZE)
Background
The Sugatacīvara Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Pātimokkha of the bhikkhunīs. These are disciplinary rules of practice established by the Buddha to maintain harmony and purity within the Sangha. This section concerns the use of the robe (cīvara), one of the core requisites of Buddhist monastics.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the robe is not merely clothing but a symbol of renunciation, humility, and observance of virtue. The Sugatacīvara Sutta addresses detailed rules regarding robe size, in order to ensure consistency, purity, and conformity with the spirit of monastic practice among bhikkhunīs. The historical background shows that the Buddha often gave such practical regulations based on problems arising in the monastic community, gradually completing the Vinaya Piṭaka.
Main Content
This sutta prescribes the standard size of robes for female monastics. Specifically, a robe must not be too long or too short, but must conform to certain measurements so as to avoid impropriety, disrespect, or insufficient modesty.
These detailed regulations include length, width, and the manner of wrapping the robe so that it suits the body of each monastic. The sutta emphasizes that if the robe is too short, it will not cover the body properly, causing disrespect. Conversely, if it is too long, it will obstruct movement and daily tasks, diminishing the humble spirit of monastic practice.
The Buddha prescribed that bhikkhunīs must observe these standards as part of the discipline of austerity. This reflects the general principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka: every detail, however small, has an educational and spiritual training purpose. Observing the proper robe size is a way to express respect for the Dharma and the determination of bhikkhunīs in practice.
🌏 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.