Lzh Dg Bu Pm Sk 7Covering the Head
Pāli / Sanskrit:Oguṇṭhita
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DISCOURSE ON COVERING THE HEAD (OGUṆṬHITA)
Background
The Oguṇṭhita discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the legal code regulating discipline in the Sangha. This body of law records specific situations in which bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs violated principles, from which the Buddha set forth rules for correction. The Oguṇṭhita discourse is placed in the context of governing the conduct and decorum of ordained disciples.
In the history of early Buddhist practice, covering the head was directly related to the way respect was expressed, as well as to rules concerning clothing and conduct within the Sangha. This discourse does not speak only about a material matter, but also reflects the idea of internal discipline and the conditions giving rise to legal rules within the Buddhist community.
Main Content
The Oguṇṭhita discourse concerns covering the head, an action that may occur in various situations in the monastic life. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the act of covering the head, such as with an outer robe or cloth, in inappropriate circumstances was regulated.
The discourse records occasions when bhikkhus covered their heads without proper reason, or covered their heads in circumstances where they should not have done so, such as when showing respect. From this, the Buddha established a prohibition or clearly defined the conditions and manner in which covering the head is lawful. This relates to the training rules (sikkhāpada) that bhikkhus must observe.
Covering the head is also sometimes mentioned as a form of concealment or avoidance. Thus the rule concerns not only clothing, but also transparency and integrity in action. Bhikkhus should not conceal the nature of their actions or intentions, but should always act with clarity and respect for others.
Practical Meaning
From the perspective of modern practice, the Oguṇṭhita discourse teaches us that rules that seem minor contain deep meaning concerning ethics and discipline of mind.
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