Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Pc 28Sewing Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvarasibbana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Sutta: Cīvarasibbana (Sewing the Robe)
Background
The Cīvarasibbana Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and is found in the Pācittiya section, the lighter offenses. These are detailed teachings on the discipline of monastic life, reflecting the way of life of the Sangha community during the Buddha’s lifetime.
The cīvara, or robe, is an important element in the monastic life of monks. It is not only clothing to cover the body, but also symbolizes renunciation and diligence in practice. The Buddha did not include the matter of sewing robes in the law arbitrarily, but in order to guide monastics in handling communal property, sincerity in labor, and the spirit of community in the Sangha.
The background for the arising of this rule concerns specific incidents in the monastic community: problems in robe-sewing work that was done improperly, selfishly, or insincerely. From that, the Blessed One gave instructions to regulate conduct.
Main Content
The rule on sewing robes (Cīvarasibbana) sets standards for handling, making, and maintaining robes in the Sangha. In the Theravāda tradition, this work is considered an important part of communal discipline and must not be done carelessly or treated lightly.
According to the general principles of the Vinaya Piṭaka, monastics must sew robes in accordance with certain regulations: the sewing must not be done for personal gain, nor may deceitful means be used to profit from this work. If monastics take part in sewing robes, they must have a proper state of mind: for the common work of the Sangha, for cleanliness and dignity, and so that practice may continue without being hindered by torn robes.
The Buddha also noted that sewing robes should not become an occasion for monastics to hesitate, dispute, or create disharmony. On the contrary, it is an opportunity to train in community, solidarity, and the spirit of serving one another.
🌏 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.