Bi Pc 2727. Blocking robe-cloth distribution
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paṭibāhana
A nun who blocks an appropriate distribution of robe-cloth must confess the offense.
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Commentary on the Paṭibāhana Rule (Bhikkhunī Pc 27)
Background
In the Theravāda Vinaya tradition, the rules governing the management of monastic property are built upon the principles of community and transparency. The Paṭibāhana rule belongs to the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the code of rules for nuns), under the section on Pācittiya offenses (minor offenses requiring confession), and addresses a specific case concerning the distribution of robe-cloth.
The distribution of robe-cloth is a matter of central importance in the monastic community. The cloth used for making robes represents not only a practical necessity but also the shared devotion of the community. In laying down rules on this matter, the Buddha sought to eliminate injustice, jealousy, and discord among the Saṅgha. The Paṭibāhana rule was established to address the situation in which a bhikkhunī deliberately obstructs, blocks, or interferes with a distribution of robe-cloth that is, in accordance with the regulations, proper and fair.
Principal Content
According to the Theravāda Vinaya, any bhikkhunī who deliberately interferes with, blocks, or obstructs the distribution of robe-cloth within the community—when that distribution is valid and fair in accordance with the regulations—commits a Pācittiya offense (Pāli: pācittiya, meaning "requiring confession"). The act of "blocking" or "obstructing" (paṭibāhana) may include such conduct as: raising objections without legitimate grounds, interfering in the process of distribution, creating difficulties that impede the distribution from taking place, or using personal influence to obstruct a decision that has already been agreed upon by the community.
The crucial point is that such an act constitutes an offense only if the distribution in question is proper (conducted in accordance with the principle of fairness). If a bhikkhunī has legitimate grounds for raising an objection—for instance, having discovered a genuine injustice or a violation of the rules—then voicing her concern is her responsibility, not an offense. However, if the objection arises from a mind of hostility, jealousy, or the desire for personal gain without any real basis, such conduct constitutes a transgression.
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