Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 57Shoes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pāduka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Commentary on the Pāduka Text (Shoes and Sandals)
Background
The Pāduka text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early Pāli Canon, specifically the Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga (Analysis of the Principles for Novices). These are detailed regulations concerning the lifestyle and clothing of monks and bhikkhunīs in the Buddhist Sangha.
The context in which this rule appeared lies in the early days of the teaching, when the Buddha was still alive. His disciples followed a humble and minimal way of life, in keeping with the spirit of practice. However, as the Sangha expanded, practical issues arose concerning the use of shoes, sandals, and other basic items. The Buddha did not intend to prohibit them completely, but to establish reasonable and workable guidelines.
Main Content
The rule concerning pāduka (shoes and sandals) focuses on basic principles: monks are permitted to use suitable footwear to protect their health, especially in environments with many dangers, such as sharp ground or harsh climates. However, not every kind of footwear is acceptable.
Acceptable footwear must be simple, not luxurious, and not overly adorned with bright colors or elaborate decoration. It must serve the practical purpose of protecting the feet, not displaying status or wealth. This is consistent with the Five Training Precepts (Pañca Sikkhāpada) and the Buddhist teaching of non-self (anattā).
In addition, the Vinaya Piṭaka also states that monks should not become excessively absorbed in choosing or caring for footwear. This is meant to prevent attachment and vanity. The use of footwear is an acceptance of the body’s basic needs, not a means of satisfying superior desires.
Furthermore, the rule is also connected with wearing footwear into sacred spaces such as temples or places of recitation. Monks need to know when to remove footwear in order to show respect, and when they may wear it to protect personal health.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.