Lzh Mu Bu Vb Np 13A New Blanket Should Have Mixed Colors
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dvebhāga
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Sutta on the Two-Colored Cloak
Dvebhāga — Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the rules of practice that bhikkhunis must observe. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a collection of abstract spiritual discourses, but a set of concrete decisions made by the Buddha to govern the community of monks and nuns. Each rule (Sutta Vibhaṅga) usually begins with an origin story explaining why the Buddha laid down the rule.
The sutta on the two-colored cloak belongs to the section concerning personal property and the use of daily requisites by bhikkhunis. This rule reflects early Buddhism’s careful concern with material matters, intended to protect the monastic community from unnecessary excess.
Main Content
The sutta stipulates that when a bhikkhuni has a new cloak (cīvara, the clothing of those who have gone forth), it should be made from pieces of cloth of two different colors or dyed in two colors. This is not an aesthetic requirement or personal preference, but has specific purposes in practice.
This rule arose from real events. Bhikkhunis were encouraged to live simply and not possess objects that were too fine or luxurious. A robe made from a single pure fabric, especially if it was high-quality cloth, could create the feeling of possessing something precious, which contradicts the spirit of renouncing impermanence (anicca) and non-self (anattā). By mixing two kinds of cloth or two different colors, the cloak no longer has a luxurious or expensive appearance, but becomes a practical, simple object.
Furthermore, this regulation is also related to communal safety. A single-colored robe, especially if bright or valuable, might be confused by others or cause disputes.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.