Lzh Mu Bu Vb Np 16Carrying Wool
Pāli / Sanskrit:Eḷakaloma
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THE SUTTA ON CARRYING A WOOL CONTAINER (Eḷakaloma)
Background
The Eḷakaloma Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Mahāvibhaṅga of the Theravada tradition. This is not a sutta of preaching in the ordinary sense, but a disciplinary rule of the Sangha, explaining in detail the wrong actions of bhikkhus and their monastic consequences.
The content of this sutta concerns a simple incident with deep significance: a bhikkhu carried a container for animal wool. This act, at first glance harmless, nevertheless contained potential violations of the precepts (sīla) of Theravada Buddhism, specifically violations of rules concerning requisites, the use of monastic objects, and the relationship of a bhikkhu to other living beings.
Main Content
The matter begins from a very specific detail: when a bhikkhu carries or transports an object used to contain wool from animals, usually a bag, sack, or similar item, this is regarded as an act not in accordance with the bhikkhu’s discipline. Why is this so?
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the requisites of a bhikkhu must be carefully regulated. A bhikkhu is permitted to possess only the most necessary things for monastic life: robes, bowl, cloth, bedding, and a few other minimal requisites. Carrying unnecessary objects, especially objects connected with labor or impurity, is considered an expression of greed, lack of concentration, and failure to follow the principle of “few wishes and contentment” (appicchā, santuṭṭhi).
Furthermore, the subtle point in this teaching is that a container for wool symbolizes things that are dirty and fearful. By using or carrying it, the bhikkhu may be regarded as not preserving the purity of mind (citta-parisuddhi), or as violating the principle of purity in the discipline.
The sutta recounts the process of investigation and judgment by the Sangha regarding this action, from which a conclusion is drawn about the degree of offense and the appropriate measures of correction.
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