Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 65Upholstery
Pāli / Sanskrit:Tūlonaddha
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Tūlonaddha Sutta (Vinaya Piṭaka): Explanation on Covering Cloth
Background
The Tūlonaddha Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pācittiya section, the minor offenses requiring confession. This background is not unusual in the Theravāda tradition: the rules concerning clothing and daily requisites of the Sangha were carefully established by the Buddha Śākyamuni to maintain purity, modesty, and concentration in practice.
Tūlonaddha is translated as “covering cloth” or “cloth used as a covering,” referring to types of cloth used to wrap, spread over, or cover objects, or for other practical uses. The highest legal principle in this sutta arose from specific events in which monastics used or stored such cloth improperly, leading to habits that moved away from the simple life encouraged by the discipline. Therefore, the Buddha laid down clear restrictions.
Main Content
The Tūlonaddha Sutta oversees a basic principle: monastics should not possess or store too much covering cloth, and such cloth may be used only for practical and reasonable purposes. Specifically, if a monastic has covering cloth beyond actual need, or keeps it with the intention of storing it for private gain, this action violates a Pācittiya rule, that is, it is a minor offense that must be reported to the Sangha.
This rule shows the sensitivity of the Buddha-Dharma toward subtle qualities: attachment to material things, the habit of excessive accumulation, and the psychology of comparison among monastics. Pieces of cloth, though simple, can easily become objects of craving for a practitioner if one is not careful. The sutta points out that this is not unreasonable harshness, but a measure supporting the practice of concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā) by reducing factors that cause distraction.
In addition, this principle also protects equality in the Sangha. When each member maintains a pure way of life, without excessive accumulation, disputes, jealousy, and injustice are reduced.
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