San Lo Bi Vb Pc 29Hiding Robes

The Rule on Hiding Robes (Cīvaraapanidhāna)

Background

This rule belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Samantapāsādikā section, detailed regulations concerning clothing and requisites of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Pāli title “Cīvaraapanidhāna” means “the hiding/concealing of a robe,” reflecting a specific situation in the Sangha community when bhikkhus encountered difficulties in managing and protecting robes (cīvara).

In the context of the Buddha’s discipline, regulations on how robes are used, kept, and consumed are not minor details, but expressions of heedfulness (appamāda) and respect for requisites provided by Buddhist lay devotees. The Rule on Hiding Robes concerns a specific case involving concealing or hiding robes, perhaps for reasons such as fear of theft, taking advantage in order to accumulate excessively, or avoiding reasonable sharing.

Main Content

According to the Theravāda tradition, the Buddha established rules within the Sangha community to prevent inappropriate conduct. In this case, when a bhikkhu hides robes, whether for self-interest or other reasons, the Buddha indicated that such an act is not in accordance with the Noble Vinaya.

Specifically, hiding robes does not accord with the principle of the Pātimokkha, the code of 227 rules for bhikkhus. According to the regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka, each bhikkhu is permitted to possess only the necessary number of robes, usually the three basic robes: sabaya cīvara, the robe worn when going out, antaravāsaka, the inner robe, and uttarāsaṅga, the upper robe. Accumulating or concealing robes beyond need violates the principle of “fewness of wishes” (appicchatā).

This rule, according to the traditional method of explanation, also reflects the interaction between the Buddha, senior disciples, and specific events in the monastic community.