Bi Pc 2525. Borrowing a robe

Scripture: Borrowing a Robe (Cīvarasaṅkamanīya)

Background

This rule is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the Code of Discipline for bhikkhunīs), an essential component of the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. The Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha is the specific code of rules for bhikkhunīs, established by the Buddha Śākyamuni to guide them in maintaining ethical conduct and observing the rules of practice and community life within the Saṅgha.

A robe (Pāli: cīvara) is one of the four essential requisites of one who has gone forth: robes, alms-food, lodging, and medicine. The robe is not merely a covering for the body but is also a symbol of the status of a bhikkhunī. Rules concerning the use of robes therefore reflect respect for both communal and personal property within the monastic community.

This scripture arises from actual situations in early monastic life, when certain bhikkhunīs would wear another's robe without asking the owner's permission, giving rise to conflict and a loss of trust within the community.

Main Content

The Cīvarasaṅkamanīya makes clear that if a bhikkhunī wears a borrowed robe without the owner's consent, this action is considered an offence—whether saṅghādisesa or pācittiya depending on the circumstances—requiring public confession.

The fundamental reason for this rule lies in the principle of "not taking what is not given" (adinnādāna) within the Five Precepts. Although borrowing is not outright theft, using another's property without permission reflects a lack of respect and sincerity. This can harm the relationships among bhikkhunīs and create an atmosphere of mistrust.

The rule also carries a broader significance: every bhikkhunī, whatever her position within the hierarchical structure of the Saṅgha, must learn to respect the personal property and personal space of others. This is the foundation for cultivating loving-kindness (mettā), mental well-being, and a harmonious community.