Lzh Mi Bu Vb Np 21Silk Blanket
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kosiya
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
THE SUTTA ON THE SILK BLANKET
An Exposition of Kosiya from the Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
Kosiya (Pāli: Kosiya; also called "the silk blanket") is a regulation in the Pātimokkha - the fundamental code for bhikkhus in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Nipatta section, among regulations concerning the property and requisites of the Sangha.
The background for the arising of this rule is connected with the process of establishing monastic discipline after the Buddha's nirvana. Bhikkhus needed clear guidance on how to use monastic property, especially rare and precious materials such as silk, in order to avoid desire, maintain simplicity, and focus on the goal of liberating practice.
Main Content
The Kosiya rule concerns the use of silk fabric in a bhikkhu's requisites. According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus are forbidden to use or possess items made of silk (Pāli: kosiya) as a personal practice. Silk is regarded as a luxurious, high-grade material, a symbol of attachment and of departing from the spirit of going forth.
This rule is not because silk is inherently unwholesome, but because using it may stimulate desire, cause a bhikkhu to deviate from the simple path of practice, and give rise to unnecessary distinctions within the Sangha. Instead, a bhikkhu should use coarse, easily obtained materials such as cotton cloth or other simple fabrics, in keeping with the mind of renouncing wealth, beauty, and sensual pleasure.
In addition, this rule aims to remove the mingling of the life pattern of a bhikkhu with that of ordinary worldly people, who often display and adorn themselves with precious materials to show social status.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of the Kosiya rule lies in training the mind in non-delight (asantosa).
🌏 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.