Dhamma Principles › Beyond What Was Lost, Yarn for Weavers, and Instructing the Weaver: Not Stretching a Donor's Goodwill
Beyond What Was Lost, Yarn for Weavers, and Instructing the Weaver: Not Stretching a Donor's Goodwill
Everyday life

Beyond What Was Lost, Yarn for Weavers, and Instructing the Weaver: Not Stretching a Donor's Goodwill

Aññātako moghapurisa aññātakassa na jānāti paṭirūpaṃ vā appaṭirūpaṃ vā

Three rules on robe cloth obtained from lay people. The group of six asked for robes on behalf of monks whose robes had been stolen until they had a great many; they asked for yarn and had weavers weave it again and again; and Upananda told a donor's weaver to weave better than the yarn provided allowed, so that the donor's wife had to supply more yarn.

8 points

In the Vinaya Piṭaka, Mahāvibhaṅga part 2, the Nissaggiya section, three rules concern asking lay people for cloth and yarn. Robe Chapter, training rule 7 tells that the group of six told monks whose robes had been stolen that the Buddha allowed them to ask. Those monks said they already had robes, but the group of six went and asked on their behalf anyway and got a great many. People talking in a public hall found that each had given, and complained: are the ascetics going into the cloth trade or opening a cloth shop?

Bowl Chapter, training rule 6 tells that at Rājagaha the group of six asked for so much yarn that some was left over, then asked for more and had weavers weave robes, three times over. Training rule 7 tells that a man about to travel told his wife to give yarn to a weaver to weave a robe for Upananda. Upananda went to the weaver and told him to make it long, wide and dense, saying there would be no trouble about the yarn, so the wife had to give as much yarn again as she had given at first.

The Buddha made all three nissaggiya pācittiya offences. In rule 7 he pointed out that a non-relative does not know what is suitable or unsuitable, what there is or isn't, for a non-relative. This is monastic discipline, but not stretching a giver's goodwill beyond what they intended applies to everyone.

  1. 1

    Asking on behalf of those who said "enough" Mayaṃ āvuso āyasmantānaṃ atthāya viññāpema

    The group of six told monks whose robes had been stolen that the Blessed One allowed them to ask non-relative householders for robes. The monks replied that it was enough, they had already got robes. The group of six said they would ask for their benefit, then went to householders and got a great many robes.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before rallying help for someone, ask them first what they still really lack. If they say they have enough, it's enough.

  2. 2

    Going into the cloth trade? Na mattaṃ jānitvā bahuṃ cīvaraṃ viññāpessanti

    A man sitting in the public hall said he had given robes to the monks whose robes were stolen; another said he had too, and another as well. People criticised the monks for not knowing moderation and asking for so many robes: were they going into the cloth trade or setting up a cloth shop?

    Applying it in daily life

    When collecting donations for someone, say openly how much has come in and announce when you have enough, so givers don't later compare notes and feel deceived.

  3. 3

    No more than a lower and an upper robe Santaruttaraparamantena bhikkhunā tato cīvaraṃ sāditabbaṃ

    The rule says that if non-relative householders invite a monk whose robes were stolen to take as many robes as he likes, he should accept at most an upper and a lower robe. The analysis explains: if three were lost, accept two; if two, accept one; if one, accept none. The non-offence clauses exempt taking extra intending to return the rest, or when the owner says the rest is his.

    Applying it in daily life

    When someone says take as much as you like, take what you actually lack now, not a reserve for the future drawn from their kindness.

  4. 4

    Asking for yarn and having weavers weave it Sāmaṃ suttaṃ viññāpetvā tantavāyehi cīvaraṃ vāyāpeyya

    At robe-making time the group of six asked for so much yarn that some was left after the robes were made, so they asked for more and had weavers weave robes, and still there was yarn left; this happened three times. People criticised it, and the Buddha laid down that a monk who himself asks for yarn and has weavers weave a robe commits a nissaggiya pācittiya offence. The exemptions include yarn for sewing a robe, a waistband, a bowl bag or a water strainer, and asking relatives, those who invited him, or paying with his own funds.

    Applying it in daily life

    Leftovers from one job are no reason to ask for more to start another. Ask whether the new job is necessary or you just want to use up what's left.

  5. 5

    Telling the weaver to make it long, wide and dense Āyatañca karohi vitthatañca appitañca

    Knowing a supporter was having a robe woven for him, Upananda went to the weaver, said the robe was being woven specially for him, and told him to make it long, wide and dense and to weave it well. The weaver said this was all the yarn he had been given and he couldn't make it long, wide or dense with it. Upananda said go ahead, there would be no trouble about the yarn.

    Applying it in daily life

    If someone has hired a shop or craftsman to make something for us, don't order extras yourself without asking the person paying, even if you think they wouldn't mind.

  6. 6

    The wife had to give as much yarn again Yattakaññeva suttaṃ paṭhamaṃ adāsi tattakaṃ pacchā adāsi

    When the yarn ran short, the weaver asked the wife who owned it for more. She objected that she had told him to weave with only that much yarn; he explained that Upananda had told him to. So she gave as much yarn again as she had given at first. When the husband returned and heard the story, he offered the robe and then complained that these ascetics have great wishes, are discontented, and are not easy to clothe.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before proposing an upgrade paid for with someone else's money or effort, always think of the person who must cover the difference. It doesn't vanish by itself.

  7. 7

    He had not been invited beforehand Pubbe appavārito

    The rule says that if a non-relative householder has a weaver weave a robe for a monk, and the monk, without having been invited beforehand, goes to the weaver and specifies that it be long, wide and dense, offering even a small reward, as little as almsfood, it is a nissaggiya pācittiya offence. The analysis explains that not invited beforehand means the donor had not asked, "What kind of robe do you need, venerable sir? What kind shall I have woven for you?"

    Applying it in daily life

    If you'd like a certain kind of thing from someone who is going to give, wait until they ask. If they ask, say honestly and modestly; if not, accept what they choose.

  8. 8

    Asking for something cheaper is no offence Mahagghaṃ vāyāpetukāmassa appagghaṃ vāyāpeti

    The non-offence clauses of rule 7 say there is no offence if the householder wants an expensive robe woven but the monk has a cheaper one woven, nor in asking relatives, those who invited him, on behalf of another, or with his own funds. So the boundary of the rule lies in adding to the giver's burden, not in talking to the weaver.

    Applying it in daily life

    When someone is about to buy you an expensive present, you can always say something simpler is plenty. A request like that burdens no one.

Try it in daily life

All three stories share one thread: the giver already had goodwill, but the receiver stretched it beyond what they intended, asking on behalf of people who didn't need it, asking for yarn again and again, and instructing the giver's craftsman to do better than the budget. The giver ends up feeling used, and the next act of generosity shrinks.

In daily life, when someone says "just tell me if you need anything", treat it as an invitation with limits, not a blank cheque. If someone has hired a shop or craftsman for us, don't order extras yourself without their knowledge.

The non-offence clauses hold a line worth remembering: if the donor wants an expensive robe woven but the monk has a cheaper one woven, there is no offence. Asking for less never burdens anyone.

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