Xct Mu Bi Pc 122Brushing Hair

Explanation of the Brushing Hair Discourse

From the Vinaya Piṭaka - Theravāda Tradition

Background

The Brushing Hair discourse originates from the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection of training rules of the Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is the scripture that regulates the way of life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, those who have gone forth under the Buddha. This discourse is not a lofty spiritual teaching, but a practical and specific guideline on how to care for the body and behave properly in daily life.

The appearance of the Brushing Hair discourse in the Vinaya Piṭaka reflects that the Buddha did not overlook any aspect of human life, from the smallest matters to the deepest practices. Brushing the hair, though it may seem an ordinary action, contains important principles of practice that disciples need to understand.

Main Content

The Brushing Hair discourse presents specific guidelines on how those who have gone forth should care for their hair. In the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Buddha clearly distinguished which requisites may be used and how to use them reasonably. With regard to hair, the discourse stipulates that renunciants should brush their hair appropriately, and must not adorn or care for the hair in a way that arouses ambition for beauty.

The act of brushing hair, in the Vinaya context, is not merely personal hygiene. It is an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness (sati), a state of deep awareness of what we are doing. Each time one brushes the hair, the practitioner should be fully aware of that action, not allowing the mind to wander into thoughts of outward beauty or personal ambition.

The discourse also points out that care of the body is part of “bodily action” (kāya karma), the actions of the body. Moderate care of the body is necessary to maintain health in service of practice, but one should not fall into sensual indulgence or self-mortification. This is the balance that the Buddha always emphasized on the path of practice.