Inti DharmaInti Dharma
← Scripture
Early Schools · Comparative Canon · Comparative Vinaya — Chinese

Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 41Lifted Robe

Pāli / Sanskrit:Ukkhittaka

📖294 words · ~1 min read
2

Save your scripture progress

Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.

Create account →
Interpreted by Inti AI (English)
🪷 AI interpretation

Ukkhittaka Sutta (Lifted Robe)

Context

The Lifted Robe Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddha-Dharma tradition, where the rules of life for monks and nuns in the Buddhist lineage are recorded. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely punishments or dry prohibitions, but guidance that helps monks and nuns act with true respect, preserve dignity, and nurture compassion.

This sutta, bearing the name "Ukkhittaka" (lifted robe, or a robe raised up), revolves around a common detail in monastic life: how to handle clothing. It seems to be a simple matter, yet it reflects the care and awareness that monks and nuns must bring to every action, even daily tasks. The context of the sutta arose from specific situations in the Sangha community, when the Buddha or senior disciples discovered an inappropriate or careless action.

Main Content

The Lifted Robe Sutta concerns a monk lifting up the robe, raising it high on the body, in an inappropriate or unmindful way. In the Early Buddhist monastic tradition, the outer robe (uttarāsaṅga) must be worn and lifted with respect, especially when coming into contact with high-ranking figures such as kings or when attending ceremonies. Lifting the robe improperly, such as exposing too much of the body or doing so carelessly, may be regarded as undignified or even offensive.

The sutta records the correction or admonition of the Buddha or the elder monks regarding this behavior. The purpose is not to criticize or punish harshly, but to educate, so that monks and nuns understand that every action, however small, has meaning and affects their mind and conduct. Lifting the robe mindfully and dignifiedly is part of spiritual conduct: maintaining outward discipline in order to nurture inner control is an essential part of practice.

🌏Why is this sūtra summarized by Inti AI?

🌏 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.

Translation source: Interpreted by AILicense: VI: bản tóm lược AI · EN: AI translation from Vietnamese source, awaiting source English

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.