Lzh Mi Bu Vb Np 26Carrying Wool

The Eḷakaloma Sutta (Carrying Goat’s Wool)

Background

The Eḷakaloma Sutta (Pāli: Eḷakaloma) is a rule belonging to the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (the Discipline for Bhikkhunīs) in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. This Vinaya Piṭaka records training rules specifically for bhikkhunīs, female monastics, built upon the spirit of Dharma practice and carefulness in conduct.

The content of this sutta concerns female Buddhists or bhikkhunīs carrying goat’s wool or similar materials in the course of practice. The word “eḷaka” in Pāli means goat or ram, and “kaloma” refers to animal hair or wool. This is a detailed regulation, reflecting the attention of the Buddha and the Sangha to matters that may seem small but have deep significance for virtue and the preservation of communal property.

The rules in the Vinaya are not merely dry restrictions, but practical lessons intended to cultivate honesty, respect, and wise management of the requisites of practice.

Main Content

The Eḷakaloma Sutta regulates the matter of female monastics not being permitted to carry goat’s wool or other animal wool without permission from the Sangha or from those responsible for managing communal property. This arose from a specific event in the history of the Sangha, when a bhikkhunī carried goat’s wool out of the monastery without permission, causing confusion and dispute over ownership of the Sangha’s property.

This regulation belongs to the category of Pācittiya or Nissaggiya Pācittiya, offences requiring confession and forfeiture of the offending object. If a bhikkhunī unintentionally carries such materials without first asking permission, she must give them up or immediately return them and confess the offence before the Sangha.

The purpose of this regulation is to protect the integrity and purity of the Sangha, and to educate bhikkhunīs in awareness of communal ownership, respect for common property, and carefulness in every action.