Mpt Pc 67Hiding Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaraapanidhāna
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The Discourse on Hiding Robes (Cīvaraapanidhāna)
Background
The Cīvaraapanidhāna discourse is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, especially in the Pātimokkha of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. These are the basic disciplinary rules that the entire Buddhist Sangha must observe. This discourse concerns the management and use of monastic requisites, specifically robes, an essential part of the clothing of monastics.
In historical context, during the Buddha's lifetime, bhikkhus often encountered situations concerning possession, concealment, or improper use of communal and personal property. The Vinaya was compiled to address these issues, in order to maintain purity, discipline, and harmony in the monastic community. This discourse reflects a specific incident in which members of the Sangha did not follow the principle of using robes sincerely and transparently.
Main Content
Cīvaraapanidhāna, provisionally translated as "hiding robes" or "concealing basic robes," deals with the issue of monastics hiding or failing to report accurately their possession of robes. In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the robe (cīvara) is one of the essential requisites that a bhikkhu needs: robe, alms bowl, and a dwelling place.
The rule in this discourse emphasizes that members of the Sangha must clearly declare their ownership of robes, whether a robe is personal, communal property of the monastery, or a donated robe. Hiding robes, especially failing to report them to other members of the Sangha or to those who distribute robes, is considered a disciplinary violation. This action can create suspicion, lack of trust, and destroy harmony (samaggī) in the monastic community.
The discourse speaks not only about actions, but also emphasizes the intention (cetanā) behind them. Deliberate concealment is regarded as an act of deception, reflecting lack of honesty and violating a basic ethical principle of Buddhist monastics.
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