Xct Mu Bu Vb Np 7Accepting Too Many Robes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Tatuttari
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Exposition of the Tatuttari Sutta (Accepting Too Many Robes)
Background
Tatuttari, or “Accepting Too Many Robes,” is a regulation in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddha-Dharma tradition. This rule arose from a specific event in the monastic community around the time when the Buddha was still living.
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus are permitted to own only a limited number of requisites, among which the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga) is a robe of important religious significance. This robe not only covers the body but also symbolizes the dignity of a Buddhist renunciant. However, possessing too many robes leads to practical problems: they are difficult to manage, create conditions for greed, and weaken the spirit of humility and fewness of wishes (appicchatā), which the Buddha-Dharma regards as essential to the path.
The Tatuttari Sutta was recorded to educate bhikkhus about reasonable limits in possession, especially concerning commonly used requisites such as clothing. Through these regulations, the Buddha guided the Sangha in living moderately, balancing basic needs with spiritual practice.
Main Content
The rule in Tatuttari forbids bhikkhus from possessing more than three upper robes or spare robes beyond what is necessary. When a bhikkhu receives a gift of robes beyond this limit, he must refuse it or hand it over to the monastic community. If he accidentally receives more and does not refuse, it is considered a minor offense (dukkaṭa) requiring correction.
The reason behind this rule is very practical. In the Buddha’s time, some bhikkhus began accepting too many robes from benefactors under the pretext of “saving them for the future” or “giving them to other bhikkhus.” This action violates three basic principles of the Vinaya Piṭaka: it reflects greed (lobha), damages the spirit of “needing little and being content” (santuṭṭhi), and creates inequality in the Sangha because other bhikkhus may not have enough robes.
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