Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Np 10Excessive Prompting for Robe Funds
Pāli / Sanskrit:Rāja
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Rāja Discourse - Vinaya Pitaka
Context
The Rāja discourse is presented in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Nuns' Pātimokkha (Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha), the pure discipline for bhikkhunīs, female monastics. The originating context concerns female monastics abusing the act of asking in order to obtain ceremonial robes or monastic robes. This is a disciplinary issue in the early monastic community, reflecting the delicate balance between accepting material support from the community and maintaining the spirit of renunciation, without excessive requesting.
In the context of early Buddhism, the monastic robe was a basic implement of practice but was not regarded as the basis of awakening. However, asking in an excessive manner, repeatedly or with detailed descriptions of need, was considered a violation of the spirit of humility and renunciation that female monastics had undertaken at ordination.
Main Content
The Rāja discourse prescribes that a female monastic must not press or ask too many times from providers, usually trusted supporters or royal patrons, since the word "rāja" is connected with kingship. Specifically, this rule prohibits repeatedly requesting or speaking again and again about the need to obtain robes.
The specific content concerns this: a female monastic should not use manipulative words, such as recounting the condition of old, torn, or insufficient robes; should not arrange for other female monastics to repeat the request; and should not ask in a detailed or frequent way beyond actual need.
The penalty for this conduct lies in the category of Pācittiya, offenses requiring confession, meaning that a female monastic who commits the fault must confess before the community and be restored. This shows that, although the conduct is considered wrong, it is not a highest offense, such as Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, because it does not undermine the foundation of moral conduct.
Practical Meaning
The deep nature of this discourse lies in teaching that absolute renunciation is not only material renunciation, but also the renunciation of greed, attachment, and craving.
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