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Explanation of the Upāhanāruḷha Sutta (The Sutta on Footwear)

Background

The Upāhanāruḷha Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Mahāvibhaṅga (Detailed Explanation) of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga. These are regulations concerning minimal etiquette in the daily life of monks and nuns, intended to nourish discipline, humility, and respect for the Buddha-Dharma.

The origin of these regulations usually lies in specific events — occasions when monks or nuns violated rules unintentionally or intentionally, leading the Buddha, the Blessed One, to establish rules in order to maintain the purity of the monastic body. The Upāhanāruḷha Sutta concerns the use of simple objects in the life of practice, especially footwear (upāhanā), an inseparable part of the austere life of those who have gone forth.

Main Content

The Upāhanāruḷha Sutta prescribes that monks and nuns should not go up to high places, such as the upper terrace of a house, or step onto places considered dignified while still wearing footwear. This principle arises from the proper sense of decorum — when entering a sacred or special space, monastics should remove their footwear to express reverence and humility.

Specifically, this rule reminds nuns that their bodies and actions must always reflect the spirit of practice. Wearing footwear, although a practical need for protecting the feet, must not become carelessness or disrespect. When entering sacred spaces — such as the main hall, a place where a Buddha image is enshrined, or sites regarded as pure — monks and nuns must remove footwear to show the attitude of a virtuous child of the Dharma.

Regulations concerning footwear are small, but they carry deep meaning. They are not unreasonable restrictions, but practical lessons in vigilance, reverence, and the ability to adjust one’s own actions to suit the circumstances.