Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Np 4Asking an Unrelated Person for Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Aññātakaviññatti
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Aññātakaviññatti Sutta
Asking for Property from Unrelated People
Background
The Aññātakaviññatti Sutta (Asking for property from outsiders) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli tradition, specifically in the section on Nissaggiya Pācittiya: rules requiring forfeiture together with confession. This text addresses a practical issue in the communal life of the Sangha: requesting clothing from people who are not Buddhist devotees or who have no special relationship with the monastic community.
The occasion arose when monks needed new clothing but had difficulty obtaining it. The Buddha taught that one may not always make requests of everyone. This text reflects the Dharma’s care regarding verbal actions, especially actions that could cause misunderstanding or affect the moral conduct of renunciants.
In that context, the Sangha needed clear rules concerning proper conduct. Not everyone was a suitable person from whom a monk might ask for robes, or to whom such robes might be given. This matter concerns not only material things but also has deep spiritual significance.
Main Content
The Aññātakaviññatti Sutta prescribes that a monk should not ask for robes (cīvara, an offering of cloth) from those called “aññātaka,” that is, people who are not Buddhist devotees or who have no close relationship with the Sangha. In other words, one should ask only from those who understand the Buddha’s teaching or from devoted supporters of the Sangha.
The act of asking from outsiders is considered a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense: the monk must forfeit the robe received and confess the fault before the Sangha. This offense is moderate in gravity; it is not a pārājika, but neither is it insignificant.
What is important is that this text distinguishes between “related” people (sañña: those who have taken refuge, close devotees) and “unrelated” people (aññātaka). This standard is not based merely on outward appearance, but on genuine understanding of the Dharma and a heart of support.
🌏 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.