Xct Mu Bu Vb 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.
THE DISCOURSE ON OLD ROBES — PURĀṆACĪVARA
Background
The section on old robes (Purāṇacīvara) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, in the division regulating the clothing of bhikkhus. In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the Vinaya is not only a set of strict rules but an expression of a disciplined, simple, and respectful way of life. The content of the regulations on old robes arose from specific situations encountered by the Buddha and his disciples in the course of practice and spreading the Dharma.
The historical background allows us to understand that these regulations did not arise from arbitrariness, but from the practical needs of the monastic community. The purpose of the training rules (sikkhāpadā) is to protect the moral discipline of the Sangha, maintain harmony in the community, and help bhikkhus focus on the path of liberation from suffering.
Main Content
The Purāṇacīvara Sutta revolves around the use of old clothing, robes that bhikkhus have used for a long time. According to the regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus are permitted to own at most three robes (ticīvara): the outer robe (uttarāsaṅga), the lower robe (antaravāsaka), and the under-robe (sabaya). The detailed regulations concerning the quality, care, and use of old robes reflect the philosophy of minimizing material ambition.
The discourse prescribes that bhikkhus should not disdain old robes or waste good clothing. Instead, they should value and carefully care for what has been provided. This includes sewing torn places, washing when necessary, and storing them properly. If old robes can no longer be used, there are appropriate ways to deal with them, such as giving them to someone else in need or using the cloth to make other useful things.
These principles apply not only to clothing but also reflect the attitude toward all material possessions of a monastic. This is part of the discipline (sīla), the first foundation of the threefold training: sīla, samādhi, and paññā.
🌏 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.