Upp Pc 29Sewing Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvarasibbana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Discourse on Sewing Undergarments (Cīvarasibbana) - Upp Pc 29
Background
The Discourse on Sewing Undergarments is found in the Pāṭimokkhasaṃvara, the collection of disciplinary rules, of the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring penance and confession. This is one of the most detailed regulations in the Vinaya concerning the use and making of the clothing of renunciants, especially under-robes (cīvara).
The background of this text arises from the story of the Buddha and his disciples in the early period. When members of the Sangha, or monastics, sewed their under-robes, situations could arise involving psychological states, conduct, or intentions not in accord with the noble Dharma. This rule was laid down to protect discipline, mental concentration, and the purpose of practice for those gone forth.
Main Content
The Cīvarasibbana Sutta sets out the rule concerning the sewing of under-robes. According to the spirit of the Theravāda Vinaya, renunciants are not permitted to sew under-robes in certain ways on their own without following the guidance of the Sangha community. In particular, the materials used, the manner of sewing, and the time of performance are all subject to clear rules.
The key points include: first, the beginning of robe sewing must have the approval or knowledge of the Sangha or of senior monastics. Second, if a renunciant sews a robe without observing the conditions of time, permission, or purpose, this is considered a fault that must be confessed. Third, the materials used to sew the robe must be suitable to the monastic requisites and must not be wasted or misused from the common property of the Sangha.
The deeper nature of this rule does not lie only in the physical act of sewing, but in the consciousness of practice: sewing a robe must be done in a spirit of renunciation, non-attachment, and orientation toward the purpose of practice. If this action becomes an occasion to nourish craving, pride, or negligence, it becomes an obstacle to the path.
🌏 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.