Xct Mu Bi Pm Sk 96Na mauliśirase

Na Mauliśirase Sutta: An Exposition from the Pāli Canon

Background

The Na Mauliśirase Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Pāli Canon and is part of the detailed disciplinary regulations for the community of monks and nuns. The phrase "Na mauliśirase" in Pāli means "one should not cut the head covering" or relates to actions that should not be performed with regard to one's hair and head. This discourse is recorded in Vinaya texts, especially in passages concerning personal property and proper care of the body in accordance with Buddhist discipline.

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, rules concerning bodily behavior are considered very important. The Buddha issued these rules not to constrain, but to help bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs develop mental discipline, protect the Sangha, and maintain respect from the lay Buddhist community.

Main Content

The specific content of this discourse has not yet been fully translated in the available documents. However, based on the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this discourse is very likely related to rules concerning care of the head and hair. In the Theravāda tradition, bhikkhus are required to shave their heads completely and periodically as part of daily discipline. This symbolizes renouncing pride in appearance and greedy longing.

Vinaya discourses often list things "not to be done" in order to train the community of monks and nuns in discipline. The rules may include: not letting the hair grow excessively long, not adorning the body in unusual ways, and not using luxurious materials for self-care. These restrictions reflect a basic Buddhist principle: reducing attachment to external beauty and thereby turning the mind toward meditation and insight.

Vinaya discourses also often explain the causes that led to these regulations: there may have been some incident among bhikkhus in the early period of Buddhism that the Buddha needed to correct, or certain mistaken views that needed to be removed.