San Lo Bi Pn 17Washing Menstruation Cloths Near Men

Explanation of San Lo Bi Pn 17: Washing Menstruation Cloths Near Men

Background

This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the precepts for bhikkhunīs, women who have gone forth. The text records a regulation related to personal hygiene and mutual respect within the community of monks and nuns.

The background of this discourse arose from an actual incident. In the time of the Buddha, some bhikkhunīs washed clothing used during menstruation near places where many men were present, especially male monks, or left such cloths in public places in a way that could easily cause discomfort or loss of decorum. This was not an intentional insult, but a lack of attention to the field of conduct (sādhika-ācaraṇa), that is, the shared discipline and spiritual harmony of the Sangha.

The Buddha taught that those who practice the Dharma must remember a fundamental principle: actions that seem small can create obstacles in the shared path of practice. Therefore this precept was established not only to protect communal purity, but also to train the foremost mental qualities: attention, caution, and respect.

Main Content

The discourse states that bhikkhunīs should not wash, dry, or leave menstruation cloths, pieces of cloth used for personal hygiene, in places near male practitioners or male monks. This includes not washing them near places where male monks commonly act, such as monasteries, dining halls (vihāra), or public areas through which male Dharma teachers may pass.

This regulation is not meant to discriminate against or demean nuns, but to train subtlety in conduct (sambādhā-ācaraṇa). According to the Theravāda tradition, it also reflects the principle of “indriya-saṁvara,” restraint of the faculties, mind, ears, eyes, and so forth, in order to avoid creating unnecessary conditions that may give rise to affliction.