Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pc 86Upholstery

The Tūlonaddha Sutta: An Exposition on the Rule Concerning Feather Upholstery

Background

The Tūlonaddha Sutta (Upholstery, feather padding) belongs to the Pātimokkha Samvara Sutta in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. This is one of the detailed regulations in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the discipline of nuns, or in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the discipline of monks, concerning the use of objects serving the life of practice.

The Blessed One, the Buddha, established these rules when he found that some disciples were engaging in activities unsuitable for the renunciant life. The Tūlonaddha Sutta specifically concerns the use or making of materials such as feathers, hair, or similar items for cushions, decoration, or furnishing one’s dwelling and belongings. This rule is intended to preserve the spirit of modesty, reduce sensual desire, and abandon greed in the lifestyle of monastics.

Main Content

The sutta stipulates that bhikkhus should not use luxurious materials such as feathers or other kinds of animal hair to make cushions and coverings, nor should they furnish their huts or dwellings with overly refined objects. This is because seeking comfort and luxury is a form arising from greed (lobha), one of the three basic unwholesome actions.

This rule does not forbid monastics from having dwellings or necessary implements, but warns against straying into things that easily lead to service of the senses. Instead, bhikkhus are encouraged to use simple, rough materials such as rattan, bamboo, water, and what nature provides without excessive processing.

This rule also reflects the principle of “minimal requisites,” one of the pillars of the Vinaya. According to this, a monastic should possess only what is most necessary: robes, alms bowl, temporary lodging, and basic medicines. Anything beyond these needs is considered a burden to practice and wisdom (paññā).