Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Np 13A New Blanket Should Have Mixed Colors

Explanation of the Dvebhāga Discourse

A New Cloth Blanket Should Have Mixed Colors

Background

The Dvebhāga discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the section establishing the discipline of the Saṅgha. This discourse lies among the rules concerning the material property of those gone forth, especially daily requisites such as robes, the clothing of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.

In the context of the sixth century BCE, when the Buddha was still living, the Saṅgha developed gradually and needed rules to manage communal property. Regulations concerning clothing were not only meant to protect collective property, but also expressed frugality, humility, and non-materialism, core principles of Buddhism.

The title “Dvebhāga” means “two parts” or “a mixture of two colors,” indicating that when making a new robe, cloth of various colors should be used rather than only a single color. This regulation seems not only practical, but also deeply disciplinary and contemplative in meaning.

Main Content

According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, when a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī needs to make a new robe to replace an old one, they should not use cloth of colors that are too bright or too luxurious. Instead, the robe should be made from cloth of mixed color, that is, combining two or more colors.

This regulation has a clear practical effect: using mixed cloth reduces cost, avoids luxury, and makes the robe less conspicuous. This accords with the principle of “dhutanga,” the ascetic and simple practices often followed by Buddhist monastics.

Furthermore, the rule reflects the Buddhist philosophy of non-attachment to outward appearance, of not immersing oneself in craving for form (rūpa taṇhā). The robe is simply a tool for covering the body and protecting health, not a symbol of status or an instrument for satisfying personal ambition.