Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 160Adorning like a wife
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adorning like a wife
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The Sutra on Adorning Like a Wife — A Theravāda Explanation
Background
This rule is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the list of rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. The Sutra on Adorning Like a Wife arose from the context in which the Buddha established training rules to protect the purity of the Sangha, especially the bhikkhunīs.
According to the Theravāda tradition, this rule is directly related to bodily adornment and the conduct of female monastics. The Buddha saw that adorning oneself excessively and elaborately, like worldly women, especially wives wishing to attract their husbands, beautified themselves to make an impression, was an obstacle to concentration on the path of the Dharma and could create misunderstanding among male disciples. Therefore the Blessed One established a rule on simplicity in bodily adornment as part of the Pātimokkha discipline.
Main Content
This rule forbids bhikkhunīs to make up the face, dye the hair, paint the nails, or perform any beautifying act in the manner worldly women commonly use to attract attention from others, especially men. The phrase “like a wife” (kallarī) clearly indicates that this conduct resembles what a wife does to become attractive to her husband.
The text does not completely forbid bodily hygiene or basic health care. The spirit of the rule is to remove pride, gratification in outward appearance, and habits that can arise from the wish to make others admire one’s looks. This rule emphasizes the clear difference between the monastic way of life and the worldly way of life.
Violation of this rule is classified as Pācittiya, offenses that must be admitted and confessed before the community of bhikkhunīs, but that do not have the deep moral gravity of the Pārājika, the defeats.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of this rule goes beyond the prohibition of outward cosmetics.
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