Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 128Bathing Robes

The Sutta on Bathing Cloths (Udakasāṭika)

Background

The Sutta on Bathing Cloths is one of the Pātimokkha rules recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pācittiya section, rules of restraint for the community of monks and nuns. This is a practical regulation arising from the daily life of bhikkhus in the early Buddhist monasteries.

In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of dry prohibitions, but an expression of the Buddha’s wisdom in guiding disciples in the practice of the Buddhist path. Every rule has a specific origin, often arising when a monastic committed an offense, after which the Buddha set down a regulation to prevent recurrence. The Sutta on Bathing Cloths reflects early Buddhism’s detailed concern for every aspect of monastic life.

Main Content

Udakasāṭika concerns cloths used for bathing (udaka = water; sāṭika = cloth or robe). According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus are permitted to possess at most three robes (ticīvara): the lower robe (antaravāsaka), the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga), and the outer cloak (saṅghāṭi). Apart from these official robes, possession of an additional bathing cloth must follow specific regulations.

The regulation in this text prescribes that bhikkhus should not discard bathing cloths without a proper reason or at inappropriate times. If bathing cloths are kept improperly or left in an unclean condition, this may lead to negative consequences for health and for respect toward the Sangha.

This reflects the Dhamma principle that bodily self-control is not only a personal matter but also concerns protection of the health of the monastic community. In particular, maintaining hygiene and properly caring for communal property are indispensable parts of the Dhamma-Vinaya, the Buddhist discipline and teaching.