Bu Pc 5858. Not making stains on a new robe
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dubbaṇṇakaraṇa
A monk who wears a new robe without first marking it must confess the offense.
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The Vinaya Rule on Not Making a Mark on a New Robe
Background
Rule 58 belongs to the Pātimokkha in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically among the Pācittiya offenses — violations that require confession before the Saṅgha. This rule arises from the need to regulate monastic property, particularly the robe (cīvara), one of the three basic requisites of a bhikkhu.
During the time of the Buddha, bhikkhus were subject to very strict regulations regarding the use of new robes. Upon receiving a new robe, it was first required to be "marked" by dyeing it or sewing onto it a piece of cloth of a different color (commonly dyeing marks or sewing patches of black, grey, or brown). This act is called dubbaṇṇa (making a significant discoloring mark), intended to indicate that the robe was not a luxury or ornamental item, but an official possession belonging to the monastic community.
Main Content
Rule 58 stipulates that a bhikkhu may not wear or make use of a new robe that has not yet been marked (that has not yet been dyed or had discoloring marks sewn onto it as prescribed). If a bhikkhu wears a new robe without performing this step, such an action is considered a Pācittiya offense — that is, it requires confession (pācchattaṃ kāretabbaṃ).
This offense is not as grave as a Pārājika (offenses entailing expulsion from the Saṅgha) or a Saṅghādisesa (offenses requiring formal action by the entire Saṅgha), but is a lesser offense. Nevertheless, it still requires explicit confession before the Saṅgha or before certain other designated persons as specified in the Vinaya.
The purpose of this rule is to uphold the spirit of humility and non-attachment in the use of material possessions. The marking of a new robe is an expression of the restraint of the sense faculties (indriya-saṃvara) and the relinquishing of the pleasures that new possessions may bring. This is why the Buddha-Dhamma places great importance on the plainness and worn quality of monastic requisites.
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