Mpt Np 10Excessive Prompting for Robe Funds

Explanation of the Rāja Sutra (Mpt Np 10)

Background

The Rāja Sutra is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha section under the Niṣaggiya Pācittiya rules, offenses requiring the practitioner to forfeit the item and confess. The background of this text concerns bhikkhunīs who, in the name of Buddhist devotees, requested cloth for making robes, but did so excessively and without modesty.

In the early period of the Sangha, the Buddha established rules so that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs could seek basic necessities appropriate to the renunciant life. However, when some began to seek these things too actively and with insufficient self-restraint, the Buddha laid down a rule to regulate such conduct. The Rāja Sutra is one such regulation, intended to protect the monastery and the spirit of practice.

Main Content

According to the text, if any bhikkhunī, in the name of asking for a fund of money to purchase cloth for robes, asks too early, too often, or without humility, this is considered a Niṣaggiya Pācittiya offense, an offense requiring forfeiture of the improperly obtained item and confession. Specifically, the text warns against “asking too actively” (atireka-yācanā), that is, going beyond the norm or seeking with an overly desirous attitude.

The specific rule is this: a bhikkhunī should receive cloth or money for cloth from others naturally, or ask only when there is genuine need. If she asks beyond basic need or with the intention of accumulating, this violates the discipline. Notably, the Buddha does not forbid a bhikkhunī from having robes, but regulates the attitude and manner of asking so that they accord with the conduct of the path.

Practical Meaning

The essence of the Rāja Sutra reflects a core principle of early Buddhism: modesty (appicchatā) and contentment (santuṭṭhitā) are essential qualities of a true practitioner.