The Four Requisites (Catu-Paccaya)

In Buddhist monastic tradition, the Four Requisites represent the basic necessities required for physical survival. A core part of the training involves "Wise Reflection" (Yoniso Manasikāra)—using these items solely to support the spiritual life, rather than for luxury, pleasure, or vanity. This practice helps practitioners maintain the "Middle Way" between sensual indulgence and self-mortification.

1. Robes (Cīvara)

Clothing is regarded merely as a tool for protection and modesty, rather than a fashion statement or a status symbol.

• Primary Purpose: To protect the body from environmental factors such as cold, heat, wind, sun, and insect bites.

• Secondary Purpose: To cover the body for the sake of modesty and social propriety.

• Mindset: The practitioner reflects that they wear robes not to look beautiful or attractive, but simply to maintain the body in a condition suitable for practice.

2. Almsfood (Piṇḍapāta)

Food is viewed as fuel for the body, similar to grease for an axle. It is consumed with mindfulness to avoid gluttony or attachment to taste.

• Primary Purpose: To sustain the physical body and keep it healthy enough to practice the Dhamma.

• Healing Hunger: To alleviate the "old feeling" of hunger without creating "new feelings" of overeating or lethargy.

• Avoidance: It is not eaten for fun, for intoxication (such as bulking up for wrestling/sports), for physical beauty (complexion), or for attractiveness.

3. Lodging (Senāsana)

Shelter is utilized strictly for safety and seclusion, rather than for comfort or property ownership.

• Primary Purpose: To ward off the dangers of the climate (rain, winter cold, summer heat) and dangerous animals.

• Spiritual Purpose: To provide a secluded environment free from distractions, facilitating meditation and mental cultivation.

4. Medicinal Requisites (Gilānappaccaya)

Medicine is used pragmatically to address illness, without craving for the pleasant taste of remedies or hypochondria.

• Primary Purpose: To suppress feelings of pain or sickness that have arisen.

• Goal: To maintain freedom from disease so that the practitioner can continue their efforts toward enlightenment without the hindrance of physical suffering.