Xct Mu Bu Vb Np 8Requesting Fine Robes From a Robe Fund
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upakkhata
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Exposition of the Upakkhata Sutta: Requesting Fine Robes from a Robe Fund
Background
The Upakkhata Sutta is found in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, in the Nissaggiya Pācittiya section (rules involving relinquishment and confession) of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka. This is one of the detailed rules concerning the management of shared property in the Sangha, especially a common fund used to purchase robes for bhikkhunīs.
In Buddhist history, maintaining suitable sewn robes was a basic standard so that monastics could focus on their spiritual conduct without anxiety over material needs. However, to prevent greed and distinction within the Sangha community, the Buddha established clear rules about asking for robes, especially when using a communal fund (robe fund).
Main Content
The Upakkhata Sutta determines that when there is a robe fund established by faithful supporters or donors for the community of bhikkhunīs, members are not permitted to ask arbitrarily for the purchase of robes that are better, wider, or of higher quality than prescribed. Specifically, if a bhikkhunī requests from this fund the purchase of a fine robe (upakkhata: selected, choosing something better), beyond the standard agreed upon by the community, this is considered a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense.
This violation is not the gravest offense, but it requires the bhikkhunī to relinquish the improper benefit (nissaggiya) and confess (pācittiya). This means the bhikkhunī must openly acknowledge the fault before the community and commit not to repeat it.
The basic principle of this rule is to maintain equality in the Sangha community. All bhikkhunīs should receive robes according to the same standard, except where special circumstances are approved by the community. Requesting a finer robe from a communal fund is regarded as a subtle act of greed, because it is hidden under the form of a “request from public funds.”
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