San Sarv Bi Pm Tf 44 Np 6Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund

COMMENTARY ON THE UPAKKHATA SUTTA

On Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund

Background

The Upakkhata Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, within the Pātimokkha section of the Theravāda tradition. It is one of the detailed regulations governing the way of life of bhikkhus, aimed at protecting the purity of the Fourfold Assembly (the four groups of Buddhist practitioners) and upholding the ethics of training.

The context giving rise to this text concerns the management of communal property within the Sangha, particularly the robe fund (cīvara-bhāṇḍāgāra). Within the bhikkhu community, practitioners do not hold personal property; however, the Sangha establishes a communal fund to distribute essential requisites such as robes to those who are ill, destitute, or in difficult circumstances. This text addresses the situation in which a bhikkhu intends to request fine and valuable cloth from the communal fund without legitimate justification.

Principal Content

The word "Upakkhata" (उपक्षत) in Pāli means "unlawful request" or "unjustified solicitation." This regulation stipulates that a bhikkhu is not permitted to request from the communal robe fund (cīvara-bhāṇḍāgāra) robes or cloth of fine quality and high value that exceed his basic needs, especially when the motivation arises from personal desire or craving for unwarranted comfort.

Cases of violation may include: requesting cloth of exceptionally high quality, making repeated unnecessary requests, or deliberately exploiting the fund to satisfy personal wishes unrelated to subsistence or health care.

Within the framework of the Vinaya Piṭaka, a violation of this regulation falls under the category of wrongdoing (Dukkaṭa — မျိုး) or may be more severe depending on the degree of ill intent and the specific actions involved. A bhikkhu must make personal confession (pabbājana) or present the matter before the Sangha to seek release from the offense.