佛制比丘六物圖 1.95

1.95

First, the intention of their prescription. The retributive body of bhikṣuṇīs is weak, so the saṅkakṣikā was prescribed. It is draped over the left shoulder to line the kāṣāya. The shoulder-covering robe was also prescribed to veil the right shoulder to conceal physical ugliness; therefore, the assembly of nuns must maintain five robes. Fully ordained monks also keep and use them, but they are merely permitted robes.