Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 168What is Scented
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vāsitaka
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THE VĀSITAKA SUTTA
An exposition from the traditional Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
The Vāsitaka Sutta appears in the Pātimokkha, the most basic code of the Vinaya Piṭaka, under the name "What Is Scented" or "That Which Has Been Perfumed." This is the section of the discipline governing the use of fragrant substances such as perfumes, scented oils, and flowers in the monastic community.
The formation of this rule is connected with the early life of the Saṅgha during the time when the Buddha was still present in the world. When bhikkhus began using fragrant substances for purposes of beautification or increasing personal comfort, the Buddha saw that this could give rise to ambition, pride, and concern with the body, direct obstacles to diligent practice. From this, disciplinary rules concerning the use of fragrance were established to protect the purity and focus of the monastics’ minds.
Main Content
The Vāsitaka rule prescribes that bhikkhus are not permitted to apply or use fragrant substances such as scented oils, scented ointments, or fragrant flowers on their bodies on their own initiative, unless there is a valid medical reason. Specifically, applying perfumed oil to the skin, using scented powder, or wearing fragrant flowers is regarded as a violation of the discipline (sekhiya), the rules for cultivating character.
However, this rule does not completely forbid the use of fragrance. It allows such substances to be used for healing or protecting health, for example using scented oil to treat skin diseases or to keep insects away. These exceptions show the balance of the Vinaya Piṭaka: not everything pleasant is forbidden, but only what creates unnecessary attention to appearance and sensual enjoyment.
This reflects a larger principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka: rules are established not to make life difficult for monastics, but to protect the mind from factors that cause distraction and waste spiritual energy.
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