Overview
While a monastic is formally allowed four broad categories of requisites (robes, food, shelter, medicine), the commentarial and later canonical tradition standardized the personal inventory of a fully ordained bhikkhu into eight specific items. These represent the absolute minimum possessions required to live the homeless life independently.
The List
- Ticīvara (3 Robes): The outer robe (saṅghāṭi), the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga), and the lower robe (antaravāsaka).
- Patta: The alms bowl for collecting and eating food.
- Vāsi / Sattha: A razor for shaving the head and face.
- Sūci: A needle for repairing and sewing robes.
- Kāyabandhana: A belt or waistband to secure the lower robe.
- Parissāvana: A water filter to ensure drinking water is free of living insects, protecting both the monk’s health and the insects’ lives. (Note: While listed as one item here, the 3 robes count individually to make 8).
Textual References
- Commentary: Jātaka Nidānakathā – The introductory story of the Jātakas explicitly lists these eight items as the traditional possessions of a Buddha and his monks.