Bi Pc 166166. Making an oversize robe

Commentary on Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 166: On Making a Robe Exceeding the Prescribed Size

Background

The Sugatacīvara belongs to the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically under the Pācittiya offenses — those transgressions for which bhikkhunīs must confess and atone. The term "Sugata" here refers to one who has gone forth under the permission of the Blessed One. This rule records an incident concerning the making of a cīvara — one of the three robes that bhikkhunīs are required to maintain.

The origin of this rule reflects the effort of the Buddhist Saṅgha to govern communal property and uphold discipline in the spirit of simplicity. The robe is not merely a practical article but also a symbol of renunciation from luxury and adornment, a principle central to Buddhist practice. The standard size of the robe is prescribed in order to prevent distinctions of status or displays of ostentation within the Saṅgha.

Main Content

According to Pācittiya rule 166, if a bhikkhunī makes a cīvara exceeding the prescribed size — a sugatacīvara, that is, an oversized robe — she must reduce it to the standard dimensions and confess the offense before the other bhikkhunīs. This is classified as a Pācittiya offense, meaning an offense requiring confession and atonement but not entailing further formal proceedings.

This regulation serves three purposes. First, it ensures equality within the Saṅgha: all bhikkhunīs wear robes of similar size, preventing any individual from wearing an excessively large robe as a display of wealth or influence. Second, it upholds simplicity and conservation of resources: the robe should not be unnecessarily large, thereby wasting cloth. Third, it preserves the spirit of renunciation: the willingness to alter one's robe to conform to the prescribed standard reflects one's commitment to the Dhamma-Vinaya and to personal discipline.