San Mu Bu Pm GBM 2 Pc 67Hiding Robes

Explanation of the Cīvaraapanidhāna Discourse (Discourse on Hiding Robes)

Background

The Cīvaraapanidhāna discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, within the section concerning origin stories and rules related to the requisites of bhikkhus. In the Vinaya system, this discourse appears after the Buddha Śākyamuni issued regulations on how the fourfold assembly should use and safeguard robes.

The context in which this discourse arose is connected with the mentality of monastics who wished to preserve valuable robes or feared losing them, leading to the act of hiding them. Seeing the violation of the spirit of generosity and attachment to material things, the Buddha taught the proper way to behave with these requisites.

Main Content

The specific content of this discourse has not been fully translated in existing Vietnamese materials; however, according to the general context of the Vinaya, the Cīvaraapanidhāna discourse concerns a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī hiding robes for the purpose of protection or accumulation.

In actual practice, robes (cīvara) are not merely material objects but also symbols of humility and liberation from desires. According to Vinaya principles, robes are considered one of the four necessities of a renunciant: robes, food, lodging, and medicine. The Buddha taught that these requisites should be used only in sufficient measure, not for storing up, adornment, or concealment.

Hiding robes may arise from greed (lobha), fear (bhaya), or attachment (upādāna) to material things. This is contrary to the spirit of the Four Noble Truths: clearly recognizing that all compounded phenomena are impermanent (anicca) and cannot truly be possessed by us.

Practical Meaning

The Cīvaraapanidhāna discourse teaches us clarity and honesty in the use of the necessities of human life. It encourages mindfulness (sati), showing that even in small matters such as caring for robes, we need an upright mind and no deceitful space.