Upp Pc 90Itch Bandage
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kaṇḍuppaṭicchādi
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Kaṇḍuppaṭicchādi Sutta (The Rule on Covering an Itch)
Background
Kaṇḍuppaṭicchādi is a Pātimokkha rule belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This rule is recorded in the Pācittiya section (offenses requiring confession), specifically within the Uppannāvatthuppakaraṇa (the section on matters arising from things that appear). This text reflects the practical guidelines that the Buddha established for bhikkhus, with the aim of protecting purity of conduct and of mind among those who have gone forth into the homeless life.
This rule of Vinaya arose from specific situations within monastic life. When a bhikkhu experiences itching or discomfort of the skin, the question of how to handle that situation becomes a matter of significant ethical concern. The purpose of the rule is to guide bhikkhus in maintaining purity—caring for bodily health without falling into any category of offense.
Main Content
The Kaṇḍuppaṭicchādi rule centers on a bhikkhu's use of various articles to cover or treat a condition of itching on the skin. According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, if a bhikkhu carelessly employs unsuitable materials or employs methods that exceed the boundaries established by the Buddha, this may constitute a Pācittiya offense.
Specifically, this text instructs that bhikkhus are permitted to use certain designated articles to care for the skin in a reasonable manner—such as oil, powder, or lawfully permitted medicinal remedies. However, excessive use, or the choosing of substances that the Buddha has not sanctioned, will constitute a violation of the rule. The crucial point is the distinction between legitimate care born of necessity and attachment—the indulgent nurturing of the body beyond what is truly required.
This rule underscores the principle of "prescribed regulation" (paññatti)—that is, the regulations established by the Buddha on the basis of a profound understanding of the nature of desire and of how it insinuates itself into actions that may appear trivial in the course of daily life.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.