San Mg Bu Pm Np 4Receiving Robe Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvarapaṭiggahana
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Explanation of the Cīvarapaṭiggahana Discourse (Receiving Monastic Robe Cloth)
Background
The Cīvarapaṭiggahana discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the body of law governing the training life of the Sangha. This discourse is recorded in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha (the solitary code of rules for bhikkhus), specifically in the Nidāna (preliminary declaration) and the rules related to receiving, possessing, and using material property, especially monastic robe cloth.
The background for the arising of this discourse comes from the first disputes and conflicts within the Buddhist Sangha. While the Buddha was still living, bhikkhus needed cloth robes to protect the body and maintain the standards of monastic practice. However, the manner of receiving, sharing, and managing robe cloth among members of the Sangha caused conflicts. Therefore, the Buddha established clear rules to regulate this conduct, in order to protect the harmony and purity of the monastic community.
Main Content
The Cīvarapaṭiggahana discourse lays down the main principles for receiving and using robe cloth within the Sangha. According to Theravāda discipline, a bhikkhu is permitted to possess at most three robes (tricīvara): the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga), the lower robe (antarvāsaka), and the outer robe (saṅghāṭī). This rule is not restricted to a particular person or group, but applies generally to all bhikkhus.
The discourse clearly stipulates that a bhikkhu may possess only robe cloth that he has formally received (paṭiggahita). This receiving must take place through a specific act, either receiving it from the Sangha (saṅgha), from a trustworthy spiritual friend (kalyāṇamitta), or from himself if that robe cloth has been classified as lawful personal property. If a bhikkhu possesses robe cloth that has not been formally received, or possesses more than the prescribed number, he violates Pācittiya (an offense requiring confession).
What is important is that robe cloth is not an object for profit or accumulation.
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