San Lo Bi Vb Pc 74Chest Wraps

Exposition of the Saṁkakṣikā Sutta (Chest Wraps)

Background

The Saṁkakṣikā Sutta (Chest Wraps) belongs to the Pātimokkha of the Theravāda Vinaya, specifically in the Pācittiya section, the offenses requiring confession. These are prohibitions related to clothing and personal articles of bhikkhunīs.

The background of this minor rule arose from practical situations in the early community of monks and nuns. The Buddha established detailed rules on the use of clothing and everyday articles in order to prevent decline, maintain monastic discipline, and ensure that nuns lived simply, focused on practice, and did not fall into adornment or display.

This sutta is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the analysis of the nuns’ discipline, reflecting disputes or issues related to the manner of wearing clothing, especially the use of strips of cloth wrapped around the chest, a very specific detail of situations faced by nuns.

Main Content

According to the Pāli Canon tradition, the Saṁkakṣikā Sutta provides that bhikkhunīs may not arbitrarily use strips of cloth or chest wraps beyond the permitted standards. Specifically, this minor rule concerns the use of samkakkhikā, a wrapping cloth, a part of traditional clothing intended for proper covering.

The issue arose when some nuns began using wraps made of overly expensive materials, too delicate, or decorated in a way unsuitable for the religious life. This was regarded as a violation of the principle of simple living (appicchatta) and could give rise to desire connected with clothing, something against which the Buddha-Dharma always warns.

The rule provides that cloth strips should be used modestly, only sufficiently to preserve bodily decorum and respect the rules of carefulness. If a nun violates it, she must acknowledge the fault and confess it (pācittiya, an offense requiring confession).