Bu Np 44. Having a nun wash a used robe

4. Having a Nun Wash a Used Robe (Purāṇacīvara)

Bu Np 4 — Vinaya Piṭaka, Pāli Canon (Theravāda)

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Source Status

The complete original Pāli text of rule Bu Np 4 (Purāṇacīvara) has not been directly consulted in the preparation of this document. The exposition below has been composed entirely on the basis of the descriptive information provided, which includes: the tradition, the name of the collection, the serial number of the rule, the Pāli title, the Vietnamese and English titles, and a brief summary of the content. This is not a translation of the original canonical text and cannot substitute for consulting an authoritative edition of the Pāli Vinaya Piṭaka. Readers who wish to undertake in-depth study are encouraged to seek out the original Pāli text or translations that have been subjected to scholarly verification.

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Background

Rule Bu Np 4 belongs to the group of Nissaggiya Pācittiya (Forfeiture with Expiation), abbreviated Np, within the section of the Pāli Vinaya Piṭaka pertaining to monks (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga). The Nissaggiya Pācittiya group comprises rules relating to material objects — principally robes and belongings — the violation of which requires a monk to perform two obligatory actions: to forfeit the object in question (nissagga) before the Sangha or before a group of monks, and to confess the offense (pācittiya) in accordance with the proper Vinaya procedure. This mode of dealing with violations helps prevent monks from accumulating improperly held articles and at the same time preserves purity within the life of the monastic community.

This rule arises in the context of the relationship between the community of monks and the community of nuns (bhikkhunī). Throughout the Theravāda Vinaya, there are numerous regulations that establish clear boundaries against monks soliciting, directing, or exploiting the labor of the community of nuns. These regulations are intended to protect the virtue and independence of both parties, and to prevent unhealthy forms of dependency from arising between the two communities.

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Content Determinable from the Descriptive Information

The Pāli title of this rule is Purāṇacīvara, in which purāṇa means "old" or "already used," and cīvara means the "robe" or "robe-cloth" of a monastic. The title points directly to the object at issue: a robe that has already been worn, not a new one.

According to the summary provided, this rule stipulates that: a monk who directs a nun to wash or dye a used robe (an old robe) commits an offense of Forfeiture, that is, he must forfeit that robe and confess the transgression.

Several points worthy of note emerge from this content:

1. The party one is forbidden to solicit: The rule specifies that it is a nun (bhikkhunī) — not a male lay follower, female lay follower, or novice nun. This specific designation reflects the particular gravity of a monk directing a female monastic to serve his personal needs.

2. The prohibited act: Not only washing a robe but also dyeing it is included, indicating that the scope of the rule encompasses every form of directing a nun to perform labor related to a used robe.

3. The type of robe: This is an "old robe" — a robe that has already been used. This may imply that the rule emphasizes that monks are not to make use of the labor of the community of nuns even for tasks of an ordinary, unremarkable nature.

4. The legal consequence under the Vinaya: The object (the robe) must be forfeited before the monastic community, after which the offending monk performs the formal rite of confession. Once this is completed, the object may be returned to him according to the decision of the Sangha.

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Significance for Spiritual Training

This rule carries profound instructive meaning on several levels:

First, with regard to virtue and self-reliance: Monastics are encouraged to attend to their own personal needs within the permitted bounds, without depending upon or directing others — especially those who are themselves on the path of practice — to serve needs that can be managed by oneself.

Second, with regard to protecting the dignity of the community of nuns: Nuns have their own practice life, their own time, energy, and responsibilities. A monk's directing them to perform tasks such as washing or dyeing robes risks creating an inappropriate relationship of dependence, and may also harm the reputation and autonomy of the community of nuns.

Third, with regard to awareness of ownership and material objects: In the spirit of the Vinaya, all of a monk's robes must be properly received and handled in accordance with the Vinaya. The inclusion of "forfeiture of the robe" as part of the consequence reminds the monastic of the relationship between himself and his belongings: they are not inviolable possessions, but objects permitted for use within the framework established by the Vinaya.

Fourth, with regard to mindfulness in conduct: This rule trains monks to be continuously aware of each small action in daily life — even so seemingly minor a matter as directing someone to wash a robe — and not to allow convenience or habit to lead to transgression of the Vinaya.

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Note on Sources

Since the complete original Pāli text of rule Bu Np 4 has not been directly consulted in this document, such technical details as the full conditions constituting the offense, exceptions, the analysis of each constituent element of the offense (vibhaṅga), and the hypothetical cases (āpatti) cannot be presented in this exposition. Serious researchers are encouraged to consult the original Pāli text together with the Vinaya commentaries in order to arrive at a comprehensive and accurate understanding of this rule.