Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 154What is Scented
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vāsitaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Vāsitaka Discourse - On Scented Things
Background
Vāsitaka (Pāli: vāsita, meaning "scented" or "made fragrant") is a disciplinary rule (Vinaya) in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early tradition. This rule is found in the Pātimokkha section of the bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, specifically within the Pācittiya class, offenses requiring confession (Vinaya Pācittiya 154).
The context in which this discourse arose is linked to the formation of the Sangha and the protection of purity among bhikkhus. Through observing the faults of his disciples, the Buddha established training rules to help the Sangha maintain purity, thereby creating conditions for successful practice of the Four Noble Truths and the Path.
Main Content
The Vāsitaka rule concerns the action of applying, bathing with, or using fragrant substances, such as scented oil, perfume, or fragrant powder, on the body. Specifically, a bhikkhu should not personally apply scents to the body in order to increase the attractiveness of his appearance.
The deeper reason for this training rule arises from the principle of the ascetic Dharma (samaṇa-dhamma), the quality of one gone forth. A Buddhist practitioner should:
First, stay away from the growth of ambition and greed (lobha), not focusing on sensuality or on cultivating the body to attract others.
Second, this rule reflects the principle of not personally performing beautifying tasks that may sustain respect from others. If a bhikkhu needs to use a fragrant substance, such as for medical purposes, he may ask other bhikkhus or laypeople to do it.
Third, it encourages simplicity, avoiding habits of display or attention to appearance, factors that distract wisdom from the path of inner practice.
Practical Meaning
The Vāsitaka rule is not an unreasonable obstruction, but an enlightened instruction. It reflects the philosophy of early Buddhist practice: a renunciant voluntarily gives up sensory pleasures in order to discover the true nature of suffering and the path to liberation.
🌏 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.