Xct Mu Bu Pm Pc 89Rainy-Season Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vassikasāṭikā
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
THE DISCOURSE ON RAINY-SEASON CLOTHING (VASSIKASĀṬIKĀ)
Background
The Vassikasāṭikā Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka of the early Buddhist tradition, the section of practical discipline governing monastic clothing in the Sangha. In the time of Buddha Śākyamuni, when bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs lived according to the Dharma of practice, the matter of wearing clothing suitable to each season and circumstance was regulated in detail by the Buddha in order to protect health and maintain discipline.
The rainy season (vassī) was the most difficult period for novice monastics. Clothing easily became damp, wet, and quickly moldy, causing illness. Therefore, the Buddha allowed bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to possess a separate garment for the rainy season to protect their health in concrete terms, so that the practice of the Dharma would not be obstructed. This rule reflects the practical compassion of the Buddha: he clearly understood the nature of human suffering while still maintaining the principles of practice.
Main Content
The discourse states that during the three months of the rainy season, from the eighth to the tenth lunar month, bhikkhus are permitted to possess an additional garment called a vassikasāṭikā, a robe suited to the damp climate. This garment is not considered excessive, because it serves an essential purpose in communal practice.
The specific provisions include the following: this clothing must be made from suitable cloth, and its color must conform to the regulations, usually brown, gray, or reddish brown. A bhikkhu must possess it properly, that is, either keeping it himself or having another person hold it lawfully on his behalf. When the rainy season ends, that is, after the rains retreat, the garment must be handed over or handled according to the rules, and must not be stored beyond the permitted period.
The purpose of this regulation is not the accumulation of property or mere personal comfort, but to enable practitioners to remain in good health and avoid illness, thereby having the time and energy to concentrate on the Dharma of practice. This is a balance between strictness in diligence and compassion for practical needs.
🌏 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.