Lzh Dg Bu Pm Np 12Pure Black Blanket
Pāli / Sanskrit:Suddhakāla
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Explanation of the Sutta on the Pure Black Robe (Suddhakāla)
Background
The Suddhakāla Sutta (Pure Black Robe) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the disciplinary rules for nuns. The content of this sutta concerns regulations on clothing used in the community of monks and nuns. It is part of the practical rules the Buddha established to maintain purity, discipline, and concentration of mind in the religious community.
The historical background shows that these regulations arose from specific situations. When nuns used unsuitable garments, this could lead to undesirable consequences or diminish the spirit of monastic practice within the Sangha. Therefore, the Buddha gave clear instructions on how to choose fabrics, especially robes made from clean, pure black cloth.
Main Content
The Suddhakāla Sutta stipulates that nuns are permitted to use robes (cīvara) made from black cloth, provided that the cloth is considered pure (suddhā). Here, the term "suddhakāla" means "pure times" or "clean periods," referring to the clean, undefiled quality of the garment.
The important role of this legal sutta lies in distinguishing permitted from unpermitted garments. Black cloth is considered an appropriate choice because it is modest, does not attract attention, and accords with the spirit of monastic practice. "Purity" refers not only to the physical aspect but also carries spiritual meaning: the cloth must be clean, not filthy, and without signs of ambition or luxury.
This rule is also related to the principle of not harboring attachment in the monastic life. Nuns should not place too much importance on clothing or use garments to display status, beauty, or economic standing. Instead, clothing is only a tool for keeping warm and protecting the body during practice.
Practical Meaning
The Suddhakāla Sutta teaches that choosing clothing is not a trivial matter, but part of ethical practice (sīla).
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