Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Np 10Excessive Prompting for Robe Funds
Pāli / Sanskrit:Rāja
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THE SUTTA ON EXCESSIVE PROMPTING FOR FUNDS FOR SACRED ROBES
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the section of rules governing the life of bhikkhus. These are regulations of monastic discipline taught by Śākyamuni Buddha to the deep and refined community (Sangha), in order to protect the purity of the Teaching and the practice of the path.
In ancient India, the offering by laypeople of essential requisites such as robes (cīvara) to bhikkhus was an act of faith. However, abusing this opportunity by begging, urging, or encouraging too much would corrupt the nature of that act and violate the spirit of independence and renunciant practice in the Sangha. Therefore, the Buddha established rules to cut off such conduct.
Main Content
The sutta prescribes that bhikkhus are not allowed to beg excessively or pressure donors for material things, especially money or cloth for making robes (robe funds). The act of “excessive begging” (atireka) includes:
Repeatedly asking for things that are unnecessary; using soothing words or mental pressure to persuade donors; creating occasions for others to display generosity beyond their capacity.
A monastic who violates this rule commits Dukkaṭa (a minor fault) or a higher level of offense depending on the degree of abuse. This rule does not prohibit receiving items offered sincerely, but emphasizes the attitude of the monastic: the mind must be without desire and must not actively request.
The sutta records that bhikkhus must truly practice nekkhamma (renunciation of desires), which includes not begging for material goods. Objects offered should be seen as tools for practice, not as possessions or sources of personal satisfaction.
Practical Meaning
This sutta teaches practitioners that financial and spiritual independence is the core of the ascetic life.
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