Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Np 29Heavy Cloaks
Pāli / Sanskrit:Garupāvuraṇa
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Discourse on Heavy Cloaks (Garupāvuraṇa)
Background
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka, specifically the Patimokkha restraint, the rules that protect the steadfast conduct of bhikkhus. In the Theravada tradition, the Vinaya Pitaka records the rules of practice laid down by the Buddha step by step, through specific events in the monastic community.
The discourse “Heavy Cloaks” concerns the issue of clothing and personal property for bhikkhus. In the context of Early Buddhism, bhikkhus were permitted to possess minimal requisites: the three robes, an almsbowl, and the necessities of daily life. However, this arrangement had to follow the principle of modesty and non-greed.
The event in the discourse records bhikkhus using cloaks that were too heavy or too costly, exceeding what was permitted. This raised the question of balance between practical need, such as protecting the body from the weather, and the principle of humility and non-attachment to material things.
Main Content
The discourse records that some bhikkhus used cloaks (pāvuraṇa) of great weight, which was not suitable for the monastic way of life. Such cloaks may have been outer garments made from thick cloth, elaborately decorated, or made from precious materials that other bhikkhus could not obtain.
The Buddha saw that this created inequality within the monastic community. Those who were new, or those from poor regions, could not possess such cloaks, and this gave rise to spiritual discrimination. Such division is contrary to the spirit of equality and harmony that Buddhism always encourages.
The discourse establishes regulations on the weight and quality of cloaks that bhikkhus are permitted to use. Rather than allowing the use of any cloak whatsoever, the Buddha defined a fair standard, helping all bhikkhus observe the rule without economic difficulty.
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