Xct Mu Bi Np 8Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upakkhata
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The Upakkhata Rule: Requesting Fine Robes from the Sangha’s Robe Fund
Background
The Upakkhata rule (Requesting Fine Robes from a Robe Fund) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Nuns’ Pātimokkha (Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha) or in regulations concerning the division of common property of the Sangha. This rule reflects a specific situation in the Buddha’s community of bhikkhunīs, when the question of rights to use common property, especially clothing, became a legal concern that could not be ignored.
In the early period of Buddhism, bhikkhunīs lived together in monasteries and used common property provided by upāsakas and upāsikās. When disputes arose about how to distribute high-quality robes, called “fine robes,” the Buddha and the great disciples had to establish wise principles to maintain harmony in the Sangha.
Main Content
The Upakkhata rule concerns a situation in which bhikkhunīs wish to request fine robes from the common robe fund, meaning money donated or accumulated for buying robes. The legal issue here is whether a bhikkhunī has the right to request a better robe than what has already been assigned.
The specific content of this rule has not been fully translated in the present context; however, according to the general background of the early Vinaya Piṭaka, such regulations usually aim at the following: (1) not permitting individual bhikkhunīs to request high-quality robes from the common fund if they have not been assigned them or have not received the Sangha’s lawful consent; (2) robes must be distributed fairly, according to reasonable allocation, in order to avoid indulgence and inequality; (3) if someone wants a finer robe, she must request permission from the Sangha or the manager of the robe fund in a dignified manner.
This is not to isolate bhikkhunīs from good things, but to prevent greed and material longing from developing in the community of practice.
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