San Bu Pm Qizil Pc 67Hiding Robes

EXPOSITION OF THE CĪVARA APANIDHĀNA SUTTA

Background

The Cīvaraapanidhāna Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka of the early Buddhist tradition. It contains detailed regulations concerning the use of outer robes (cīvara) by bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The content of the sutta is directly related to rules for handling the property of the religious community, specifically regulations concerning concealing or preserving robes.

In the historical context, the Vinaya Pitaka records specific situations that occurred in the community of monks and nuns, from which the Buddha promulgated rules to prevent violations of diligent practice. The Cīvaraapanidhāna Sutta was compiled to protect the purity of monastics and avoid disputes related to the common property of the monastic community.

Main Content

The Cīvaraapanidhāna Sutta concerns the act of concealing or keeping one's robes improperly, or failing to report them to the proper representative. According to the Vinaya Pitaka, bhikkhus are not permitted to store outer robes secretly or beyond the number allowed by regulation.

Specifically, this sutta instructs that the outer robe of a monastic is property of the monastic community, used for the purpose of protecting the body and maintaining proper modesty. Concealing robes or failing to follow distribution rules violates the principle of transparency and communal responsibility. The sutta clearly establishes cases for handling violations, from admonition to corresponding disciplinary penalties.

In particular, the sutta emphasizes that any act of concealment or hiding related to the common requisites of the Sangha is considered an unwholesome action that violates the trust of the community.

Practical Meaning

Although this sutta sets forth specific rules for renunciants, it reflects profound ethical principles in Buddhism. Transparency in the use of property, freedom from greed, and trust within the community are core values toward which this sutta points.