San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Np 16Carrying Wool
Pāli / Sanskrit:Eḷakaloma
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Eḷakaloma Sutta (Carrying Wool)
Background
The Eḷakaloma Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, in the Patimokkha section. It is one of the detailed rules on forfeiture offenses (nisaggiya pācittiya) related to handling clothing materials belonging to bhikkhunīs.
The background of this text is connected with practical situations in the early community of monks and nuns. In the Buddha’s time, bhikkhunis were permitted to possess three robes (tricīvara) to meet regular needs for clothing. However, some bhikkhunis took advantage of disguise or the transfer of cloth to conceal violations concerning property regulations. The Eḷakaloma Sutta was given to clarify and educate bhikkhunis on how to handle woven cloth and clothing materials in a pure manner, in accordance with the spirit of renunciation.
Main Content
The Eḷakaloma Sutta stipulates that if a bhikkhuni carries or stores cloth (kaloma, wool or woven material) beyond the permitted amount and without permission from the community (saṃgha), that bhikkhuni commits a forfeiture offense (nisaggiya pācittiya). This offense requires the bhikkhuni to return the improper item to the community and confess the fault before witnesses.
This rule is not irrational, but has a deep foundation: it aims to prevent greed, possessiveness, and the habit of accumulating property. Cloth and clothing materials, in the monastic context, are not for collecting, but are tools for protecting the body so that one may continue on the path of practice. When a bhikkhuni keeps more than she needs, the mind is no longer pure, and attachment to material things begins to arise.
It is noteworthy that this rule clearly distinguishes between lawful possession, with permission, and unlawful possession. If the community knows of and approves the carrying of extra cloth, the bhikkhuni does not commit an offense. This shows that the Vinaya Pitaka is not absolutely rigid, but flexible and based on transparency within the monastic community.
🌏 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.