Bi Pc 8787. Wearing jewelry

Itthālaṅkāra (Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, Pācittiya 87)

Dignity and Independence in the Monastic Life of Women

Background

This rule is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the Disciplinary Code for bhikkhunīs), a section of the Vinaya Piṭaka within the Pāli Canon. The Buddha's Dharma established the Saṅgha comprising both male monastics (bhikkhus) and female monastics (bhikkhunīs). In order to maintain the foundation of purity and to guard against transgression, the Buddha established a detailed system of rules, among which rule 87 of the Pācittiya (offenses requiring confession) serves to guide bhikkhunīs in their practice regarding the matter of jewelry and adornment.

In the social context of India during the Buddha's time, jewelry was regarded as a symbol of sensual attachment, worldly gain, and preoccupation with outward appearance. For those who have gone forth into homelessness, such symbols stand in direct contradiction to the ideals of humility (appadhanā), self-restraint (attasañjogavinaya), and the cultivation of inner practice. This rule is established upon the fundamental principle that a female monastic should train herself and exercise self-control so as to avoid those things that lead to the deterioration of the spirit of practice.

Main Content

The rule of Itthālaṅkāra stipulates that: If a bhikkhunī wears or adorns herself with jewelry (itthālaṅkāra) — such as bracelets, necklaces, headbands, or any other ornament — she incurs a Pācittiya offense — that is, an offense requiring confession. Pācittiya offenses are lighter than Pārājika offenses (offenses entailing defeat) but still require open confession before the Saṅgha or before fellow bhikkhunīs.

The word "itthālaṅkāra" derives from "itthī" (woman) and "alaṅkāra" (jewelry, adornment), implying that this type of ornament is readily associated with a sense of femininity, sensual attraction, and ambition regarding outward appearance.