Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 137Blocking Robe Distribution
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paṭibāhana
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Sutta on Blocking the Distribution of Robes (Paṭibāhana)
Background
The Vinaya of early Buddhism records rules and precedents that arose from specific situations in the first community of monks and nuns. The Paṭibāhana Sutta, Blocking the Distribution of Robes, appears in the Pācittiya section, lighter offenses requiring confession (parivāsa). It concerns a senior monk or authorized member of the Sangha deliberately obstructing the distribution of robes to fellow practitioners.
The background arose from personal conflicts or disagreements within the Sangha. Some individuals or people with authority attempted to manipulate the process of distributing common property, robes provided by donors, using it as a tool to punish or control other members. This is conduct that violates the spirit of communal harmony (saṁgha-sammatā).
Main Content
The rule states that if a monastic, especially one with the function of distributing robes, deliberately obstructs others from receiving their proper share of robes unfairly, that person commits a Pācittiya offense. This act is regarded as an infringement of equality and fairness in the Sangha.
This rule does not forbid reasonable conditions for distribution, such as requiring proper care of robes or observance of the discipline. However, it does not allow authority to be used to harm or punish an individual without a valid reason recognized by the Sangha.
The important distinction lies in intention (cetanā) and result (phala). If someone unintentionally causes an obstruction, or has a genuine reason to delay temporarily, such as when the person is violating major rules, then there is no offense. But if the purpose is to use such means to suppress or control, that is a clear violation.
Practical Meaning
The Paṭibāhana Sutta teaches about the ethics of authority and social responsibility within the community. It emphasizes that administrative authority must be used for the common good, not for personal benefit or to dominate any faction.
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