Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 204Adorning like a wife
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adorning like a wife
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Discourse on Adorning Oneself Like a Wife
Background
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli canon, specifically the Pātimokkha, with regulations concerning the ethical conduct of bhikkhunīs. In the Buddha’s time, as the Dharma developed, he saw that some bhikkhunīs began to pay attention to outward appearance and adorn themselves to attract the attention of men, which was contrary to the spirit of renunciation and meditative practice.
The Buddha established rules to limit this conduct, in order to protect the purity of the Sangha and help bhikkhunīs focus on the path of practice. This discourse reflects that context, in which external adornment is seen as an act similar to a household wife concerned with beautifying herself in order to arouse her husband.
Main Content
The Vinaya rule states that bhikkhunīs should not adorn themselves or cover the skin with beautifying substances, such as oils, pigments, or perfumes, for the purpose of courting admiration or arousing sexual attention. In particular, the discourse forbids using means of adornment in a manner “like a wife,” that is, with the intention of enticing others, like a woman in worldly life preparing herself to attract her husband or admirers.
This action is regarded as a Pācittiya offense, an offense requiring confession, because it reflects attachment to appearance, ambition for beauty, and may lead to situations that tempt both oneself and others. This rule does not absolutely prohibit caring for bodily hygiene, but forbids deliberately using beautifying means to attract attention or maintain a seductive image.
Practical Meaning
This discourse teaches the importance of aparādha, freedom from complacency regarding appearance, in the renunciant life. It reminds monastics that they must direct the mind inward, training the mind, cultivating wisdom (paññā), and developing moral conduct (sīla), rather than paying attention to making an outward impression.
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