Lzh Sarv Upali 16Questions on Robe-Making Season
Chinese title:迦絺那衣法竟 (Kaṭhinapucchā)
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Exposition of the Sūtra of Questions on the Robe-Making Season (Kaṭhinapucchā)
Background
The Kaṭhinapucchā Sūtra is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. In the context of early Buddhism, managing the community of monks and nuns (Sangha) required detailed regulations for life throughout the year. The rains residence (vassavāsa) lasted three months, a period during which monks and nuns did not travel far, but concentrated on intensive practice and conduct in accordance with the Dharma. Immediately after the rains ended, the Buddhist discipline permitted the establishment of the “robe-making season” (kaṭhina utsava), a special one-month period of exemption.
This sūtra records questions that monks and nuns posed to Venerable Upāli, who was appointed by the Buddha as the foremost master of the Vinaya Piṭaka. These questions were intended to clarify the details of the rite, its conditions, benefits, and the limits of this temporary exemption. The historical setting reflects the orderly organization of the Sangha in the early period, when the Buddha was still present in the world.
Main Content
Kaṭhinapucchā centers on legal and administrative questions related to organizing the robe-making season. During this season, monks and nuns are relieved of certain disciplinary rules, especially those concerning robes and geographical movement. The questions include: who has the authority to establish this season, what the conditions and procedures are, who may benefit, what limits must still be observed, and when the season comes to an end.
Venerable Upāli, with deep understanding of both the spirit and the letter of the Vinaya Piṭaka, answers each question systematically. He emphasizes that although the robe-making season has the character of exemption, it still lies within the general framework of the Sangha’s rules. It must not be used as an opportunity for abuse. Its true purpose is to allow monks and nuns to prepare suitable robes for the approaching cold season and to strengthen the spirit of communal harmony through shared activities.
🌏 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.