Xct Mu Bu Pm Np 10Excessive Prompting for Robe Funds

Explanation of the "Rāja" Discourse (Excessive Need for Robe Funds)

Background

This discourse is recorded in the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early tradition. These are legal regulations established by the Buddha Gotama to govern the communal life of the bhikkhu Sangha, in order to protect the financial independence and dignity of the Saṅgha jewel.

In the historical context, early monastics depended on the offerings of laypeople to obtain robes (uttarāsaṅga). However, when this need exceeded what was necessary, or when monastics repeatedly reminded and pressured laypeople to provide robe funds, this created ethical difficulties and placed an unnecessary burden on the lay community. Therefore, the Buddha laid down specific rules to control this conduct.

Main Content

The specific content of this discourse has not yet been fully translated in the present descriptive information system. However, based on the context of the Early Vinaya Piṭaka, this rule revolves around the act of "excessive need for robe funds" (atireka parikkhāra), that is, repeated and improper requests by monastics for laypeople to provide financial support for the requisites of practice.

According to the principle of the Vinaya, a monastic may properly receive a robe offering from laypeople, but should not actively "prompt" (sallapana) or "ask excessively" (paramparā-yācana). The Buddha earnestly taught that monastics must restrain themselves, always maintaining the spirit of alms-dependence and not depending excessively on material things. If a monastic continually reminds laypeople of his need for a robe, whether that need is legitimate or not, this conduct violates the principle of contentment with little and few requests (atta-paṭilābha - self-sufficiency with little asking).

Practical Meaning

This disciplinary discourse carries profound meaning concerning financial self-restraint and personal ethics within the community of practice.