Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Sk 57Shoes

Interpretation of the Pāduka Sutta (Pāduka - Shoes)

Background

The Pāduka Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, reflecting detailed rules concerning the daily life and attire of early Buddhist monks and nuns. In the early period of the organization of the Sangha, the Buddha Śākyamuni established standards of conduct and the use of basic requisites in order to nurture reverence, cleanliness, and spiritual independence.

Shoes (pāduka) are not a trivial matter in the monastic context. They are directly related to the Pātimokkha, the fundamental precepts, because the way shoes are used reflects an attitude of reverence toward sacred spaces, respect for other classes of monastics, and the proper management of shared property of the Sangha.

Main Content

The Pāduka Sutta stipulates that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not use shoes that are too luxurious, overly decorated, or splendid, because such things run contrary to the humble spirit of the renunciant path. In particular, when entering sacred places or attending communal monastic gatherings, monastics must remove their shoes as an expression of reverence.

The detailed rules include choosing kinds of shoes appropriate to the climate and terrain, without drifting into the pursuit of excessive comfort or personal aesthetics. Permitted shoes must be simple and durable, without painting or added unnecessary decorative details.

In addition, the text also mentions the care of common monastery footwear and its fair distribution among bhikkhus. This is directly related to the Dharma of equality within the Sangha and the principle of not accumulating personal property beyond the basic needs for practice.

Practical Meaning

Although the rules concerning shoes may seem very specific and practical, their profound nature reflects a very important spiritual principle: non-attachment regarding external material things.