San Lo Bu Pm Sk 52Sandals
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upāhanāruḷha
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DISCOURSE ON SANDALS (UPAHANARULHA)
Background
The discourse on sandals is recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravada tradition, specifically in the section concerning the personal requisites of monks and nuns. In the context of the Sangha community during the Buddha's time, detailed rules on clothing, footwear, and daily requisites were not trivial matters, but expressions of the spirit of practice: mutual care, caution against waste, and purity of mind.
This discourse was recorded when the Buddha discovered that some bhikkhus were not observing the proper way of using sandals (upahana, sandals or footwear). This led him to give specific regulations guiding the monastic community in the use of these items, in order to protect two core values: self-restraint (indriya-samvara) and dedication to the Dharma.
Main Content
The discourse on sandals centers on the Buddha's establishment of restrictions and guidance concerning the wearing of sandals. According to the Theravada tradition, sandals are not a luxury but part of monastic attire, intended to protect health and support walking during journeys to teach the Dharma.
However, the Buddha observed that some bhikkhus used sandals in ways inconsistent with the spirit of ascetic simplicity, such as wearing sandals that were too luxurious, too cumbersome, or using them with arrogance. Therefore, he prescribed that sandals should be chosen to be fitting, durable, and appropriate to real needs, without becoming entangled in greed or pride.
The specific rule also concerns caring for sandals properly: not wasting them, not leaving them scattered, and not using them carelessly. Every requisite of a bhikkhu is regarded as belonging to disciplined simplicity, to be used only for the purpose of practice, not for display or sensual enjoyment.
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