Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c23.37

c23.37

The Bhikkhus were allowed to accept presents of robes. "Lay robes" are distinguished from *paṁsukūla* robes [ib., viii, 1, 35]. The former might be made of new cloth [ib., viii, 1, 6]. "But a set of robes made entirely from untorn pieces is not to be worn." Half at least of each of the three robes must be from torn pieces [ib., viii, 21]. We read of people going to the Ārāma with presents of robes which were to be received by a Bhikkhu, specially appointed for the purpose, who had to keep within doors. Then these were to be laid by another special Bhikkhu, not in an open hall, where they might be damaged by rats and white ants, but in a separately appointed store-room, varying in size and build according to necessities, in charge of a Bhikkhu appointed as store-keeper [ib., *viii*, 5-8]. But such storage must not exceed the period of ten days after which they must be distributed among the Saṁgha [ib., *viii*, 13]. There should also be distribution, if the store-room be "overfull of clothes", by a Bhikkhu specially appointed for the purpose who was to make the distribution equitably among the members present, giving half to the Samaṇeras [ib., *viii*, 9]. Sometimes, lay men would give ready-made robes to individual Bhikkhus, but those seeking more merit would give *Kaṭhina* or cotton cloth to the whole Saṁgha assembling in a formal meeting for the performance of the *Kaṭhina* ceremony requiring all the members of the parish from different Saṁghas to be present and join in the work of making robes out of the cloth before the day is over, even the senior monks lending a helping hand if necessary [ib., *vii*]. The robes must be dyed always. Six kinds of dye are allowed together with the necessary arrangements for boiling and receiving them in suitable vessels [ib., *viii*, 10].