San Lo Bi Vb Pc 76Durbalāya kaṭhina
Pāli / Sanskrit:Durbalāya kaṭhina
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Durbalāya Kaṭhina Sutta - Exposition
Background
Durbalāya Kaṭhina is a part of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition of the Pāli Canon, specifically within the Parivāra, the appendix to the Vinaya. This content concerns the offering of kaṭhina cloth, the autumn-season robe, to the Sangha community, together with the accompanying conditions and rules.
In the historical context, these regulations arose from specific situations during the Buddha’s lifetime. Kaṭhina was originally a refined procedure in the Vinaya: the process of making, offering, and using kaṭhina cloth, autumn cloth donated during a special ceremony. The word “Durbalāya” means “weak” or “difficult,” suggesting that this section deals with exceptional or difficult cases related to the kaṭhina process.
The Vinaya was compiled to guide the Sangha community to live harmoniously and regulate itself according to the principles of the Buddha-Dharma. Each rule has its origin in a specific situation, reflecting the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion in addressing practical problems.
Main Content
The Durbalāya Kaṭhina section in the Parivāra is a statement or body of rules concerning difficult conditions that the Sangha community may encounter when performing the kaṭhina ceremony. Kaṭhina is an important ceremony in the Theravāda tradition, occurring after the rains retreat (vassa). A cloth robe is offered to the Sangha community, and the monks together prepare and complete it in one day, thereby producing special merit.
However, the performance of kaṭhina is not always favorable. The Durbalāya Kaṭhina section regulates exceptional cases: when the Sangha community is too weak in numbers, when materials or time are lacking, or when unavoidable obstacles arise, and how kaṭhina may be performed or set aside validly according to the Vinaya.
These rules emphasize the flexibility of the Vinaya: the Buddha never laid down rigid and unreasonable regulations.
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