Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 148Jewellery
Pāli / Sanskrit:Itthālaṅkāra
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The Discourse on Adornments (Itthālaṅkāra)
Background
The Discourse on Adornments belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the traditional Theravāda Pāli Canon. It is a disciplinary rule for bhikkhunīs, recorded in the Pātimokkha section, the collection of basic precepts that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe.
This rule arose from a specific circumstance in the early monastic community. As the Buddha-Dharma expanded, some bhikkhunīs began using adornments such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to beautify themselves. Although this action might not seem very serious, from the perspective of practice it runs contrary to the spirit of the Buddhist path concerning greed, hatred, delusion, and the laying down of mixed worldly desires.
The Buddha observed this situation and established a rule requiring bhikkhunīs not to use luxurious ornaments. This rule was not intended to oppress or subjugate, but to protect the spiritual purity of women practitioners, keeping them focused on the aim of liberation rather than on outward appearance or beauty.
Main Content
According to the rule in the Discourse on Adornments, bhikkhunīs are forbidden to use kinds of jewelry intended to beautify themselves. This includes items such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, ear ornaments, and other adornments whose purpose is decoration or attracting attention.
The main reason for the prohibition is that such adornments are expressions of greed (lobha), of the desire to present a beautiful covering in order to be praised and noticed. For a woman practitioner, these are invisible obstacles covering the spiritual life. Jewelry is not merely inert matter; it carries psychological meaning. The use of ornaments is often an expression of attachment to the body and to desires governed by craving.
This rule applies to all bhikkhunīs, without distinction of age or level of practice.
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