Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 134Group Robes

The Gaṇacīvara Discourse (Group Robes)

Background

The Gaṇacīvara discourse is found in the Pācittiya section, the monastic rules of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition. This discourse records a prohibition concerning the control and collective use of shared robes in the monastic community (bhikkhu-saṅgha).

The background arose from practical issues in the management of communal property. When monastics possessed shared robes (gaṇacīvara), that is, robes used by many persons or in rotation, disputes and conflicts arose concerning rights and management. Some monastics exploited this system to appropriate them or to make excessive use of common justice. Therefore, the Buddha promulgated this rule to protect communal harmony and uphold the spirit of renunciation and sharing.

Main Content

The discourse states that monastics are not permitted independently to control or decide the use of shared robes without agreement from the community. Specifically, they may not arbitrarily take, give, exchange, or dispose of these robes according to personal preference. If there is a need to change how they are used, it must be done through a communal decision (saṅghakamma), or at least reported to the elders in charge of management.

This rule also restricts exclusive action in entrusting or transferring robes to others, whether monastics or laypeople. Violation is considered a minor offense (pācittiya), requiring public confession before the community. This fault does not fall into the gravest level, such as pārājika or saṅghādisesa, but it cannot be treated lightly, because it directly affects discipline and trust in the community.

The essence of this rule reflects a universal principle of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka: what belongs to the collective must not be decided by an individual alone. This protects equality and prevents expressions of personal craving (lobha) within the monastic community.