cīvaraṁ

neuter the (upper) robe of a Buddhist mendicant C. is the first one of the set of 4 standard requisites of a wandering bhikkhu, vir. c˚, piṇḍapāta alms-bowl, senāsana lodging, a place to sleep at, gilānapaccaya-bhesajja-parikkhāra medicinal appliances for use in sickness. Thus mentioned passim e.g. Vin.iii.89, Vin.iii.99, Vin.iii.211; Vin.iv.154 sq.; DN.i.61; MN.ii.102; AN.i.49 Cnd. s.v.; Iti.111. In abbreviated form Snp.339; Pv-a.7; Sdhp.393. In starting on his begging round the bhikkhu goes patta-cīvaraṃ ādāya, The 3 robes are sanghāṭi, uttarāsaṅga, antaravāsaka given thus, e.g. at Vin.i.289. that is literally ʻtaking his bowl & robe.ʼ But this is an elliptical idiom meaning ʻputting on his outer robe and taking his bowl.ʼ A bhikkhu never goes into a village without wearing all his robes, he never takes them, or any one of the three, with him. Each of the three is simply; an oblong piece of cloth (usually cotton cloth). On the mode of wearing these three robes see the note at Dialogues ii.145
■ Vin.iii.11; DN.ii.85; Snp.p.21; Pv-a.10, Pv-a.13 & passim. The sewing of the robe was a festival for the laity (see under kaṭhina). There are 6 kinds of cloth mentioned for its manufacture, viz khoma, kappāsika, koseyya, kambala, sāṇa, bhanga Vin.i.58 = Vin.i.96 = Vin.i.281 (cp. ˚dussa). Two kinds of robes are distinguished: one of the gahapatika (layman) a white one, and the other that of the bhikkhu, the c proper, called paṃsukūlaṃ c. “the dust-heap robe Vin.v.117 (cp. gahapati)
■ On cīvara in general also on special ordinances concerning its making, wearing & handling see Vin.i.46, Vin.i.49 sq., Vin.i.196, Vin.i.198, Vin.i.253 sq. Vin.i.285, Vin.i.287 sq., Vin.i.306 = Vin.ii.267 (of var. colours); Vin.ii.115 sq (sibbati to sew the c.); Vin.iii.45, Vin.iii.58 (theft of a c.), Vin.iii.195–⁠ Vin.iii.223 Vin.iii.254 Vin.iii.66; Vin.iv.59 Vin.iv.62, Vin.iv.120 Vin.iv.123, Vin.iv.173, Vin.iv.279 sq., Vin.iv.283 (six kinds) AN.iii.108 (cīvare kalyāṇakāma); AN.v.100, AN.v.206; Vism.62; Iti.103; Pv-a.185
■ Sīse cīvaraṃ karoti to drape the outer robe over the head Vin.ii.207, Vin.ii.217; -ṃ khandhe karoti to drape it over the back Vin.ii.208, Vin.ii.217; -ṃ nikkhipati to lay it down or put it away