San Mu Bu Pm GBM 3 Sk 84Covering the Head
Pāli / Sanskrit:Oguṇṭhita
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Discourse on Covering the Head (Oguṇṭhita)
Background
The Discourse on Covering the Head is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, in the Pācittiya section, the training rules in the discipline of the Sangha. The context in which this rule appeared is connected with specific situations in the monastic community during the Buddha's lifetime.
In Vinaya terminology, Oguṇṭhita (covering, veiling the head) refers to the act of covering the face or head with a robe, cloth, or other items. This rule arose when the Buddha observed that some bhikkhus behaved improperly, deliberately covering the head in order to avoid being seen publicly or to carry out unvirtuous acts. This violated the spirit that the Sangha should live openly, transparently, and without concealment before the community.
This rule reflects a deeper principle of Buddhist discipline: the Sangha must practice with transparency and firmness, and should not seek to conceal its actions. This is the foundation for mutual trust and respect within the Sangha.
Main Content
The Oguṇṭhita rule states that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should not cover the head with a robe or any other item while in public or while participating in activities of the Sangha. This action is regarded as a Pācittiya, a kind of offense requiring confession before the Sangha.
Understood more deeply, this rule concerns not only a physical action but also psychology and ethics. Covering the head is often done with the intention of remaining anonymous, avoiding oversight, or concealing unworthy activities. In the context of the Sangha, where every member must live under the view of the community and observe common discipline, this action becomes an expression of separating oneself from the collective spirit.
The Buddha emphasized that true monastics must stand openly before the community, showing confidence and purity in their actions. If there are faults, they too must be confessed publicly. There is no place for concealment in the practice of the path.
🌏 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.