Lzh Dg Bi Pm Np 29Heavy Cloaks

The Rule on Heavy Cloaks (Garupāvuraṇa)

Background

The Rule on Heavy Cloaks is recorded in the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the section concerning the implements and clothing of bhikkhus. In the early period of the Sangha, the Buddha issued detailed disciplinary rules to regulate the life of his ordained disciples, thereby ensuring diligence and purity in communal practice.

This rule arose from a specific incident within the monastic community. Some bhikkhus used cloaks that were too thick and too heavy, which did not accord with the spirit of simplicity and austerity in the life of one gone forth. Such heavy garments not only made almsround and meditation difficult, but also reflected a mind not yet completely free from attachment to material things. On that occasion, the Buddha gave a detailed regulation concerning the weight and material of the cloak that bhikkhus were permitted to carry.

Main Content

According to the rule in the Pātimokkha, the list of basic prohibitions, the Garupāvuraṇa rule states that bhikkhus may not use cloaks (vuraṇa) whose weight exceeds a certain standard. Specifically, a valid cloak should be made from good-quality cloth fibers but must not be too heavy, in order to avoid excessive comfort.

This regulation is established on the principle of the “Middle Way,” avoiding the two extremes of self-mortification and indulgence in pleasure. A cloak that is too heavy makes its wearer feel overly comfortable, thereby leading to laziness and decline in practice. Instead, clothing should be warm enough and protective enough for the body, but not cause the mind to sink into fondness for material things.

In addition, this rule is also connected with other practical matters, such as whether bhikkhus may share cloaks with one another, or how to deal with a case in which one who has gone forth possesses too many garments.