Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 71Robe Size
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sugatacīvara
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Sugatacīvara Sutta (The Robe of the Well-Gone One)
Background
The Sugatacīvara Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pārājika section or in the sections regulating dress within the religious community. The monks and nuns of early Buddhism did not only practice the Dharma; they also had to follow careful regulations concerning daily life, including the use of monastic robes (cīvara).
This sutta was recorded to define the dimensions and standards of the monastic robe (sa-ba, uttarāsaṅga, antarvāsa). These are not arbitrary rules, but reflect the spirit of the Buddha-Dharma: cleanliness, discipline, meditative composure, and respect for the ethical foundation of the community. The title “Sugatacīvara” means “robe of the Well-Gone One” (Sugata is an epithet of the Buddha), indicating that these standards were laid down by the Blessed One for his disciples.
Main Content
The sutta establishes specific measurements for the different kinds of monastic robes. The monastic robe consists of three layers: the inner robe (antarvāsa), the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga), and the outer robe (saṃghāṭī or sa-ba). Each robe has prescribed minimum and maximum dimensions.
According to the Pāli Vinaya, a robe must not be so small that it merely fits the body without adequately covering it. If too small, it violates decorum; if too large, it creates difficulty and is unsuited to a frugal life. These measurements are taken in traditional units such as the aṅgula, equivalent to the length of a finger.
The Blessed One instructed that monks and nuns should use robes of proper size, not overly elaborate, and that the robe should be sewn from pieces of rough cloth; the sa-ba monastic robe is always sewn from joined pieces of cloth, not from a single whole piece. This symbolizes that it is not tailored to personal preference, but is a common product of the community.
Practical Meaning
The regulation concerning the size of the monastic robe is not merely a technical matter, but reflects a profound philosophy.
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