San Mg Bu Pm Pc 89Robe Size
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sugatacīvara
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The Sutta on the Edge of the Garment of One of Low Birth
Sugatacīvara Pātimokkha
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Pātimokkha, the primary code of discipline, lays down prohibited forms of conduct for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Sutta on Robe Size, or Sugatacīvara, belongs to the Minor Offenses section (Pācittiya) and arose from a specific incident in the course of the Buddha’s teaching.
The story concerns Venerable Gotama (Gautama), a bhikkhu of a tall build. In the early period of the Sangha, the Buddha had not yet clearly prescribed the size of robes (cīvara) for noble disciples. Venerable Gotama, because of his tall body, fortunately found a large piece of cloth with which to make a robe. However, this action caused controversy in the community, because it could create an impression of luxury and difference among bhikkhus, contrary to the spirit of building an equal and simple Sangha.
The Buddha, understanding both the psychology and the practical need, but also wishing to protect discipline and unity, established a standard for suitable robe size. This rule is not an absolute prohibition, but a guideline for preserving the spirit of the training life.
Main Content
According to the rule in Sugatacīvara, the robe (cīvara), the prescribed garment for a bhikkhu, must conform to certain standards. The Buddha prescribed that the garments of bhikkhus should be appropriate to the wearer’s body, neither too large nor too small, helping to avoid waste of cloth and to preserve simplicity.
Specifically, this sutta concerns making robes from remaining pieces of cloth, and such garments must meet the “Sugata” size, meaning a size corresponding to the average dimensions of the Buddha or of an ordinary monastic. This means that robes should not be made too large, in order to avoid waste, but they must also be sufficient to cover the body in accordance with rules of proper conduct and cleanliness.
If a bhikkhu has an exceptional body, being too tall or too thin, reasonable adjustment is also needed, but such adjustments must be made with care.
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