Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 139Not Owning a Bathing Cloth

Sutta: Not Owning a Bathing Cloth

Background

This sutta is drawn from the Vinaya Piṭaka, an important part of the Pāli Canon in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka records the rules of practice and careful conduct that the Buddha established for the community of monks and nuns (Sangha). The formulation of these rules arose from specific situations in the monastic life, in order to nurture habits of purity, renunciation of sensual desire, and harmony in the Sangha.

The issue of the bathing cloth seems to relate to the management of personal property by monks and nuns. In ancient Indian society, this cloth was an essential item for personal hygiene, but it could also become a point where craving arose. This sutta establishes that monks and nuns should not possess a bathing cloth solely as private property, but should follow the principle of sharing common resources in the Sangha.

Main Content

According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this rule is intended to prevent a sense of private ownership and disputes over property in the monastic community. When a monk or nun owns a private bathing cloth, unwholesome states may easily arise: anxiety over its loss, irritation if someone else uses it, or jealousy if someone has a better cloth. These states of mind are entirely contrary to the path of practice leading to the cessation of suffering.

The Vinaya Piṭaka stipulates that basic items such as bathing cloths should be regarded as property of the Sangha, or distributed according to need on an equal basis. This accords with the basic principles concerning essential offerings, the restrictions on possessions that monks and nuns may own: the robe, the threefold set of robes, one alms bowl, one pillow, and one blanket. The bathing cloth is not included among the items that monks and nuns are permitted to own personally.

This rule also reflects the profound philosophy of gradually relinquishing material bonds.