Confession 71

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Vesālī. At that time, Bhaddā Kāpilānī bhikkhunī just put on the saṅghāṭī of the student depending on her without telling her, and entered the village. Then some bhikkhunīs called (the student): “So-and-so, come, lets go on alms round.” She answered: “Venerables, wait, I’ll fetch my saṅghāṭī.” She searched for the robe, but didn’t see it. Seeing her teacher’s robe, she thought: “My teacher must have left wearing my robe.” Then she thought: “It may be allowable for my teacher to wear my robe, but it’s not allowable for me to wear my teacher’s robe.” She said: “You go, I can’t go.” “Why?” She answered: “I don’t have a robe.” Then they said: “Wear your teacher’s robe, and come.” She answered: “Out of respect for her, I don’t dare to wear it. You go alone.” And that day she didn’t have food.

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and informed him of this matter. The Buddha said: “Summon that bhikkhunī.” When she came, the Buddha asked her: “Did you really do this?” She answered: “I really did this, World-honored One.” The Buddha said: “This is an unwholesome thing. Why did you wear her robe without telling her? From now on, it’s no longer allowed.” The Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī: “Convene all the bhikkhunīs living in the vicinity of Vesālī. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī wears someone else’s robe without telling the owner, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. It’s not allowed to wear a student’s saṅghāṭī without telling her. When one wants to wear it, one should say: “I’ll wear your robe. If you want to go out, you may wear my saṅghāṭī.” The same applies to all other robes. If one wants to wash, dye or sew a robe, or has a reason to wear a student’s robe, one should say: “You stay here, I’ll bring food for you.” If a bhikkhu wears someone else’s robe without telling them, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.

Mahāsaṅghika Vinaya, 37th fascicle.