When the Bodhisatta Prince became a recluse, Ghaṭikāra Brahmā who happened to be an old friend in the lifetime of Buddha Kassapa, heard of his going forth on a noble renunciation offered him the eight requisites, among them were, the four requisites that are close to and go along with body, namely: a big robe, an upper robe called ekacci, a lower robe, a girdle. (Maha Buddhavamsa)
No robes no ordination
Now at that time monks (each) ordained one who had no robe. They walked about naked for alms food. People … spread it about, saying: “Like follower of other sects.” They told this matter to the Lord. He said: “Monks, one who has no robe should not be ordained. Whoever should ordain one is an offence of wrong-doing.” [(Vin.IV.89), (Mv.I.70.1)] In circumventing the order, “Monks (each) ordained by means of lending a robe. When they were ordained, they returned (each) his robe and walked naked for alms food. The Lord proclaimed “Monks, one should not ordain by means of lending a robe. Whoever, should (so) ordain, there is an offence of wrong doing.” [(Vin.IV.89, (Mv.I.70.4)]
Rag-robes from cemetery
Some monks went into the cemetery for rag-robes, others did not wait. Those monks who went into the cemetery obtained rag-robes, those monks who did not wait spoke thus: “Your reverences, give as a portion.” These spoke thus: “Your reverence, we will not give you a portion, why did you not wait?” They told this to the Lord. He said: “I allow you, monks, not to give a portion, if you are not willing to give to those who did not wait.”
Some monks went into the cemetery for rag-robes, other monks waited. Those monks who went in into cemetery for rag-robes obtained rag-robes; those monks who waited spoke thus: “Your reverences, give us a portion.” “Your reverences, we will not give you a portion; why did you not go in?” They told this matter to the Lord. He said: “I allow your, monks, to give a portion (even) you are not willing, to those who wait.”
Some monks went into cemetery for rag-robes, afterwards. Those monks who went into the cemetery for rag-robes first, obtained rag-robes. Those monks who went in afterwards did not obtain them; then spoke thus: “Your reverences, give as apportion.” These spoke thus: “Your reverences, we will not give you a portion; why did you go in afterwards?” They told this matter to the Lord. He said: “I allow you, monks, not to give a portion, if you are not willing, to those who go in afterwards.”
Some monks went into a cemetery together for rag-robes; some monks obtained rag-robes, other monks did not obtain them. Those monks who did not obtain them spoke thus: “Your reverences, give us a portion.” These spoke thus: “Your reverences, we will not give you’re a portion; why did not you obtain any?” They told this matter to the Lord. He said, “I allow you, monks, to give a portion, even, if you are not willing, to those who go together with you.”
Some monks made an agreement went into the cemetery for rag-robes, some obtain rag-robes; other monks did not obtain them, spoke thus: “Your reverences give as a portion.” These spoke: “Your reverences, we will not give you a portion; why did you not obtain any?” They told this matter to the Lord. He Said; “I allow you, monks, having made an agreement, to give a portion, even if you are not willing, to those who go in.” [(Vin.IV.282), (Mv.VIII.3.2 – 4.5)]
Devadatta’s Schism
Devadatta’s schism scheme imposed five conditions to the Lord, among them was for monks to wear rag-robes. “For as long as life lasts, let them be rag-robe wearers; whoever should accept a robe given by a householder, sin would besmirch him.” However, the Lord rejected, said: “Whoever wishes, let him be a rag-robe wearer, let him be a rag-robe wearer; whoever wishes let him accept a householder’s robe.” [(Vin.V.196), (Cv.VII.8.14)]
Householders’ robes
Now at that time there accrued to King Pajjota a pair of Siveyyaka cloths which were the chief and foremost and most excellent and loveliest of many cloths, of many pairs of cloths, of many hundred pairs of cloths, of many thousand pairs of cloths, of many hundred thousand pairs of cloths. Then King sent this pair of Siveyyaka cloths to Jivaka. It occurred to Jivaka; “This pair of Siveyyaka cloths, sent me by King Pajjota, is the most excellent and loveliest of many cloths … no one else is worthy of it but the Lord, perfected one, or King Bimbisara of Magadha.”
Now at that time the Lord was taken ill and Jivaka attended to him. When the Lord had recovered Jivaka approached the Lord: “Lord and the Order of monks are wearers of rag-robes. This pair of Siveyyaka cloths was sent to me by King Pajjota; of many cloths, of many pairs of cloths, of many hundred pairs of cloths, of many thousand pairs of cloths, of many hundred thousand pairs of cloths, it is the chief and best and foremost and most excellent and loveliest. May the Lord accept my pair of Siveyyaka cloths, and may he allowed householders’ robes to the order of the Monks” The Lord accepted the pair of Siveyyaka cloths. Then the Lord, gladdened, rejoiced, delighted with Jivaka with dhamma talk, having given dhamma talk, addressed the monks, saying: “I allow you, monks, to accept householders’ robes. Whoever wishes may be a rag-wearer; whoever wishes may consent to accept householders’ robes. And I, monks, commend satisfaction with the one or other.” [(Vin.IV.279), Mv.VIII.1.34)]
People in Rajagaha heard: “Householders’ robes are allowed to monks by the Lord,” and these people became joyful, elected thinking: “Now we will give gifts, we will work merit, inasmuch as householders’ robes are allowed to monks by the Lord.” And not just one day many thousand robes were produced in Rajahaga. When country people heard: “Householders’ robes are allowed to the monks by the Lord,” and these people became joyful and elected, thinking: “Now we will give gifts, we will work merit, inasmuch as householders’ robes are allowed to the monks by the Lord.” And in just one day many thousand robes produced in the country. [(Vin.VIII.280);,(Mv.III.1.35)]
Now, at one time, a mantle accrued to the Order. They told this to the Lord. He said: “I allow, you, monks, a silk mantle.” A fleecy coverlet accrued. “I allow you, monks, a fleecy coverlet,” he said. [(Vin.IV.280), (Mv.VIII.1.36)] Now at one time the king of Kasi sent woolen stuff that was worth half a kasi to Jivaka. Then he approached the Lord, ”May the Lord accept the woolen stuff from me that it may be for me a blessing and a happiness for a long time.” The Lord accepted the woolen stuff. “I allow you, monks, to accept woolen stuff.” At that time various kinds of robe-material accrued to the monk: “Now, what kind of robe materials are allowed by the Lord, what are not allowed?” “Monks, I allow six kinds of robe-materials: linen, cotton, silk, wool, coarse hempen cloth canvas.” Now at that time these monks consented to householders’ robes; (but) being scrupulous, they did not consent to rag-robes, thinking: “Only one (kind of) robe is allowed by the Lord and not two (kinds).” They told this matter to the Lord. He said: “Monks, I allow him, who consents to householders’ robes to consent to rag-robes. And I, monks, commended satisfaction with both.” [(Vin.IV.281}, MV.VIII.3.1)]
Robe Dying and Colours
Now at that time monks dyed robe-material with dung and with yellow clay. The robe material came to be a bad colour. They told this to the Lord. He said: “I allow you, monks, and these six kinds of dyes: dye from roots, dye from stems, dye from bark, from leaves, from flowers and from fruits.” [(Vin.IV.285), MV.VIII.9.4)] When the Licchavis heard that the Lord arrived at Vesali, they rode out with very magnificent vehicles to see the Lord. Some of the young members wore dark green clothes with dark green ornaments, blue makeup, blue clothes and blue adornments, while some were in yellow, some in red, some in white with white makeup white clothes and white adornment.” [(Mv.VI.30.1), (DN.ii.97)] Monks, robes that all dark green, all yellow, all red, all crimson, all black, reddish yellow, with long borders, long borders of flowers, snakes’ hood, jackets, garments of the Tirita trees, and turbans is not to be worn and also robes with emblems of other sects. Whoever should wear one, there is an offence of wrong-doing. [(Vin.IV.305), (Mv.VIII.29.1)]
Robe Cutting
Once the Lord was on tour of Dakkhinagiti saw the field of Magadha, laid out in strips, in lines, laid out in embankments, laid out in squares, and seeing this he addressed Ananda, saying: “Are you able to provide robes like this for the monks?” “Let the Lord see the robes provided by me.” Then the Lord having giving reasoned talk, addressed the monks: “Monks, Ananda is clever and intelligent inasmuch as he can understand in detail of the meaning of that which was spoken of by me in brief, and can make a cross-seam, and can make in short cross-seam and can make a circular seam and can make in short circular seam and can make a central piece and can make side pieces and can make a neck-piece and can make a knee-piece and can make an elbow-piece, and what is cut up must be roughly darned together, suitable for recluses and not coveted by opponents. I allow an outer cloak that is cut up, an upper robe that is cut up, an inner robe that is cut up.” [(Vin.IV.286), (Mv.VIII.12.1)]
Number of robes allowed
The Lord experienced cold winter nights between the eights during the time of snowfall, sat down in the open air at night was comfortable with only one robe. As the first watch of the night was ending he felt cold and put on a second robe. At the middle of the night was ending he felt cold and put on a third robe. As the last watch of the night was ending, as the sun was rising he felt cold and put on a fourth robe. It occurred to him ‘Even those who are in this dhamma and discipline are sons of respectable families, susceptible to cold, afraid of cold, even these are able to keep themselves going with three robes. Suppose I were to set a limit, were to establish bounds as to robes for monks and were to allow three robes?’ I allow you, monks, three robes: a double outer cloak, a single upper robe, a single inner robe.” [(Vin.IV.237-38), (Mv.VIII.13.4-5)]
Now at that time a certain monk’s inner robe came to be torn. Then it occurred to the monk: “Three robes are allowed by the Lord; the double outer cloak, the single upper robe and the single inner robe. But my inner robe is torn. Suppose I were to insert a patch, so that it will be double cloth all round, single in the middle?” Then the monk inserted a patch. As the Lord was touring and lodgings he saw that monk inserting the patch, seeing him he approached that monk, having approached, he spoke thus to that monk: “What are you doing, monk?” “I am inserting a patch, Lord.” “It is very good, monk, that you insert a patch.” Then the Lord, on this occasion, having given reasoned talk, addressed the monks, saying: “I allow you, monks, clothes are unsoiled, when what is allowable is unsoiled, a double outer cloak, a single upper robe, a single inner robe; when garments are thin from use a fourfold outer cloak, a double upper robe, a double inner robe. As far as possible an effort is to be made to get patches from rag-robe, from (bits pricked up near) a shop. I allow, monks, a patch, a means of fastening, a length, a marking (with a piece of cloth), and a straightening. [(Vin.IV.289), (Mv.VIII.14.1)]
Benefits of Robe Offering on Kathina Day
Devotees and lay person may make offering of robes to the monastic any day, anytime to commemorate an event or occasion, example in remembrance of death anniversary of the departed loved ones. However, on Kathina, day is a specific day to offer robes to monks who have completed the vasa or rains retreat. The Buddha himself has mentioned about the great importance of offering the kathina robe. Even as the mountain Mahameru cannot be moved by the strongest wind, the merit that accrues to the donor of the kathina robe. The Nagitapadana too describes the great benefits of offering kathina robe. Nagita Thera was a rich man in Bandhumati during the time of Vipassi Buddha. He invited Vipassi Buddha and the bhikkhus to observe the vasa and bestowed on the Buddha and the bhikkhus the kathina robes and meals and made a fervent hope for arahantship. As a result of this offering he was never been born in the woeful states since that time and was born in heavenly worlds for 18 kalpas. He was king of gods (Sakka) 34 times and was universal monarch 84 times. He was born only as god or a human being. And as a human being he was born only as a khattiya or as a brahmana. In his last birth as a human being he entered the order of monks in the dispensation of Gautama Buddha and attained arahantship. Offering of the kathina robe is reckoned as one of the eight great acts that yield in the donor the highest benefits. (Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, Volume VI, page 161).
Contributor: Chin Kee Thou
Date: February 24th 2024
The contributor takes responsibility for any inadvertence, factual or otherwise.
Chin Kee Thou
Buddhism and Daily Living 