Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 179Combing Hair

The Sutta on Combing Hair (Combing Hair)

Background

This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the disciplinary rules of the Saṅgha. It is one of the detailed rules of discipline laid down by the Buddha for his renunciant disciples, in order to maintain the spirit of cleanliness, self-restraint, and dedication to practice.

The background arose from specific events in the early Saṅgha community. When the Buddha and his disciples lived together in the practice community, practical issues of daily life continually arose. The regulations concerning combing hair are not lofty philosophies, but practical guidance helping bhikkhus maintain harmony, discipline, and focus on the goal of liberation.

Combing hair in the context of Theravāda Buddhism has a broader meaning than hygiene. Hair is regarded as a symbol of ambition, anxiety, and the common concerns of worldly people. A bhikkhu who has gone forth must cut off the hair to signify the renunciation of worldly life and its bonds.

Main Content

In the Vinaya Piṭaka, the rules concerning combing hair relate to the way bhikkhus care for themselves in a spirit of independence and self-restraint. Bhikkhus are not permitted to use elaborate or decorative implements. Combing hair must be done simply and discreetly, without troubling others or displaying conceit.

The sutta prescribes that combing hair should follow basic principles: one should not comb hair too often and thereby waste time, should not use grooming or beautifying implements excessively, and must maintain hygiene with humility. These regulations reflect the Buddhist principle of the Middle Way, avoiding extremes of indulgence and meaningless austerity.

In addition, this rule also relates to respect for time and spiritual concentration. In the Theravāda tradition, bhikkhus are encouraged to maximize time for the cultivation of meditation (bhāvanā) and the study of the Dharma (dhamma-pariyatti).