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Grammatical Analysis

Cīvara: [nt.] Monastic robe. Originating from roots meaning “bark” or “rag,” reflecting the early ascetic practice of wearing clothes made from discarded materials.

Orthodox Definition

Cīvara is the monastic robe, the first of the Four Requisites. A fully ordained Theravāda Bhikkhu is allowed a set of exactly three robes (ticīvara):

  1. Antaravāsaka: The lower robe (undergarment) wrapped around the waist.
  2. Uttarāsaṅga: The upper robe worn around the torso, leaving the right shoulder bare during formal Saṅgha activities.
  3. Saṅghāṭi: The heavy double-layered outer robe used for extra warmth or as a sitting mat.

Originally, robes were made from paṃsukūla (rags collected from dust heaps or cemeteries), which were washed, dyed with earth or bark (giving the ochre/kasāya color), and sewn together. The patchwork pattern of the robe was designed by Venerable Ānanda at the Buddha’s request, modeled after the rectangular rice fields of Magadha, symbolizing a field of merit.

Quote

216. Chinnakacīvarānujānanā
The allowance of cut robes

345. Atha kho bhagavā rājagahe yathābhirantaṃ viharitvā yena dakkhiṇāgiri tena cārikaṃ pakkāmi.
Then the Blessed One, having stayed in Rājagaha for as long as he wished, set out on a journey towards Dakkhiṇāgiri.

Addasā kho bhagavā magadhakhettaṃ acchibaddhaṃ pāḷibaddhaṃ mariyādabaddhaṃ siṅghāṭakabaddhaṃ, disvāna āyasmantaṃ ānandaṃ āmantesi – ‘‘passasi no tvaṃ, ānanda, magadhakhettaṃ acchibaddhaṃ pāḷibaddhaṃ mariyādabaddhaṃ siṅghāṭakabaddha’’nti?
The Blessed One saw the Magadha fields, divided by segments, by ridges, by boundaries, by junctions. Having seen them, he addressed Venerable Ānanda: “Do you see, Ānanda, the Magadha fields divided by segments, by ridges, by boundaries, by junctions?”

‘‘Evaṃ, bhante’’ti.
“Yes, Blessed One,” he replied.

‘‘Ussahasi tvaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhūnaṃ evarūpāni cīvarāni saṃvidahitu’’nti?
“Are you able, Ānanda, to arrange robes for the monks in such a way?”

‘‘Ussahāmi, bhagavā’’ti.
“I am able, Blessed One,” he replied.

Atha kho bhagavā dakkhiṇāgirismiṃ yathābhirantaṃ viharitvā punadeva rājagahaṃ paccāgañchi.
Then the Blessed One, having stayed in Dakkhiṇāgiri for as long as he wished, returned to Rājagaha.

Atha kho āyasmā ānando sambahulānaṃ bhikkhūnaṃ cīvarāni saṃvidahitvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ etadavoca – ‘‘passatu me , bhante, bhagavā cīvarāni saṃvidahitānī’’ti.
Then Venerable Ānanda, having arranged robes for many monks, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he said to the Blessed One: “May the Blessed One see the robes I have arranged.”

— Mahāvagga (Cīvarakkhandhaka, 345)

Textual References

  • Vinaya: Mahāvagga (Cīvarakkhandhaka) – The extensive rules governing the reception, sewing, dyeing, and limits on storing extra robes.
  • Sutta: Sāmaññaphala Sutta (DN 2) – “Just as a bird takes its wings wherever it flies, so too the monk takes only his robes and bowl wherever he goes.”
  • Commentary: Samantapāsādikā – Detailed explanations on permitted dyes and the legal method of resolving ownership of robes.

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