Lzh Mi Bu Vb Np 23A New Blanket Should Have Mixed Colors
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dvebhāga
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Dvebhāga Sutta: A New Robe Should Have Two Colors
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Nikāya canon, the subsection Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (rules for female monastics) records a regulation concerning the dyeing and treatment of the outer robe (uttarāsanga) of bhikkhunīs. This sutta arose from a specific event in the Sangha, when female monastics encountered difficulty in preparing a new robe according to the proper standard of the community.
The structure of the Vinaya Piṭaka always follows a narrative method: first presenting the circumstance that gave rise to the rule, then the Buddha’s decision, and then an expansion with related cases. This helps monastics understand the spirit of the rule, not merely obey it mechanically, but also grasp the deeper purpose of each regulation.
Main Content
The regulation concerning robes in Dvebhāga centers on the principle of “two mixed colors” (dvebhāga, “two parts”). When a bhikkhunī has a new robe, it should be dyed or treated so that it is not too bright, and does not display wealth or newness too openly. The purpose is to avoid attachment to material things, avoid disturbing fellow practitioners, and avoid attracting unnecessary attention from laypeople.
The Buddha allowed female monastics to dye robes with a combination of two colors. For example, ashes, sulfur, or other natural dyes may be mixed so that the color becomes muted and not brilliant. This regulation is not meant to impose extreme asceticism, but to maintain a balance between reasonable care of the body and nonattachment to material things.
The important point is that the Buddha did not completely forbid possessing a new robe. Instead, he encouraged monastics to act deliberately in adjusting material things so that they serve the practice of the path, rather than allowing material things to govern the mind. A new robe is not itself an offence, but it should be treated in a purposeful way.
🌏 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.