Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 59Making Stains
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dubbaṇṇakaraṇa
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Discourse on Making Stains (Dubbaṇṇakaraṇa)
Background
The Discourse on Making Stains is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, belonging to the Pācittiya class of the Pāli Canon. This is the section of disciplinary rules laid down by the Buddha to maintain harmony in the Sangha and protect the honor of the teaching.
The background of this rule concerns actions that soil or cause defilement to robes, requisites, or the reputation of fellow monastics. In the early monastic community during the Buddha’s lifetime, maintaining purity, both material and spiritual, was regarded as a symbol of walking the path to liberation.
The rule Dubbaṇṇakaraṇa (from dubbaṇṇa = ugly, stained; karaṇa = making) arose to prevent intentional acts of damaging, soiling, or causing shame to others in the Sangha. This includes actions that create an appearance contrary to proper standards, or make one seem lacking in diligence and dignity.
Main Content
The Dubbaṇṇakaraṇa rule states that bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs must not intentionally create actions or conditions that invite blame or cause loss of honor to themselves or the Sangha. Specifically, this may relate to:
First, failure to maintain a dignified appearance in robes and monastic requisites. The robe (cīvara) is regarded as a symbol of renunciation and self-discipline. If a bhikkhu keeps robes dirty and torn without a legitimate reason, this violates the rule.
Second, actions that bring shame upon the Sangha through inappropriate or disrespectful behavior. Examples include walking in an uncultivated posture, behaving with improper bearing, or acting in an intolerable way in public.
Third, deliberately damaging communal requisites of the monastery without permission, especially items used for practice and collective living.
This rule is pācittiya, meaning that such violations require the monastic to confess (paṭidesanā) before a companion or before the Sangha.
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