San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Np 5Used Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Purāṇacīvara
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Discourse on Old Robes (Purāṇacīvara)
Background
The Purāṇacīvara discourse, Old Robes, is part of the Pātimokkha, the collection of penitential rules (Vinaya) that bhikkhus must observe. This section belongs to the Nissaggiya Pācittiya, offenses that require recitation and relinquishment of the item that caused the offense. Specifically, this is the fifth rule in the series of regulations on clothing and property for renunciants.
The background of this rule is that the Buddha saw some bhikkhus wearing old robes unsuitable to the monastic training tradition, or accumulating too many unnecessary robes, giving rise to greed and distraction. Therefore, the Buddha set forth a principle for managing the use of clothing, helping monastics maintain simplicity and a mind not attached to material things.
In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya is not only formal law but a tool for training the mind, supporting samādhi and prajñā. The rule on old robes reflects the simple way of life (appicchā) of the monastic community.
Main Content
This rule states that a bhikkhu should not intentionally accumulate or seek out old robes for personal use, except in permitted cases. If a bhikkhu receives or uses too many old robes without proper reason, or accumulates beyond actual need, he commits a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense.
Old robes (purāṇacīvara) are understood as robes that have already been used, not new robes. This rule expresses the principle that bhikkhus should actively use what is available without seeking better materials. It encourages patience with simple living conditions and the abandoning of distinctions in quality.
When this offense is committed, a bhikkhu must openly acknowledge the fault before the Sangha, relinquish the robe that caused the offense (nibbattidavyavahāra), and recite the offense. This is not merely a rigid act, but an opportunity for the monastic to recognize attachment and train the mind in renunciation.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.