Lzh Mi Bi Vb Sk 84Sandals
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upāhanāruḷha
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The Sutra on Footwear: Upāhanāruḷha
Background
In the Vinaya Pitaka of the Early tradition, the Vibhaṅga section records detailed regulations concerning the way of life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Upāhanāruḷha sutra (from upāhana: sandals, shoes; ruḷha: wearing, going in) is a minor but meaningful rule concerning the wearing of footwear by those who have gone forth.
The sacred record states that this sutra arose when the Buddha encountered a specific situation related to the use of footwear in the bhikkhu community. Arising from actual events in the course of training, the Buddha issued regulations to preserve the spirit of humility and self-restraint, also called the spirit of sippa, self-correction.
Main Content
The Upāhanāruḷha sutra prescribes that bhikkhus should not wear footwear that is overly refined, adorned, or ostentatious. Specifically, the regulation prohibits bhikkhus from wearing high sandals, elaborately decorated sandals, or sandals that display a status higher than that of others. This is regarded as a Pācittiya offense, one of the lighter classes of offenses in the Vinaya system.
The basic reason for this rule is that excessive adornment goes against the spirit of mendicancy (bhikkhunupassaya) and the renunciation of the bhikkhus. Footwear, though a small thing, is a personal item through which distinctions of status or craving for splendor may be displayed. Therefore, the Buddha wanted his disciples to maintain simplicity and humility in every aspect of daily life.
This regulation also reflects a general principle of the Vinaya Pitaka: limiting unnecessary differences among members of the Sangha community, thereby avoiding envy, conceit, or conflict. Each bhikkhu should have footwear suited to the needs of one who has gone forth: ordinary, durable, and unobtrusive.
Practical Meaning
Although this sutra speaks about footwear, its deeper meaning goes far beyond the material issue.
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