Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 65Upholstery
Pāli / Sanskrit:Tūlonaddha
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Explanation of the Tūlonaddha Sutta (Padded Upholstery)
Background
The Tūlonaddha Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition and is found among the detailed regulations concerning life in the Sangha. Tūlonaddha means "padded, stuffed with cotton padding" (from tūla = cotton, cotton fiber + naddha = bound, padded). This discourse concerns regulations on the use of padding materials in beds, cushions, and daily objects of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.
The background for the arising of this discourse was during the Buddha's lifetime, when disciples practicing the path needed clear guidance on how to live diligently, without falling into indulgence and pleasure. These regulations appeared when specific issues arose in the community of monks and nuns, and the Buddha gave teachings to maintain discipline and the purity of the place of practice.
Main Content
The Tūlonaddha Sutta regulates the use of padding materials such as cotton, cotton fiber, straw, leaves, and similar substances for padding beds, mattresses, seats, or other objects. The rule does not completely forbid the use of these materials, for such a view would lead to excessive austerity; instead it regulates the degree and manner appropriate to the nature of practice.
According to the rule, padding materials are permitted for use in creating a minimum comfort for health, in order to support practice and not to seek indulgence in sensual pleasure. If a bhikkhu uses such objects excessively, whether unintentionally or intentionally in imitation of ordinary people, that would violate the spirit of the path. The discourse also concerns the handling, preservation, and sharing of these objects in the monastic community.
This rule emphasizes the distinction between "minimum necessity" (pariyante) and "excess" (atirekattā). A bhikkhu needs to understand this boundary clearly so as not to fall into the net of sensuality, especially desire for material comfort, which is considered a great obstacle on the path to liberation.
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