Bi Pc 8888. Bathing in scents and colors
Pāli / Sanskrit:Gandhavaṇṇaka
A nun who bathes with scents and colors must confess the offense.
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THE DISCOURSE ON BATHING WITH SCENTS AND COLORS (Gandhavaṇṇaka)
Background
The Pātimokkha (the recitation of the monastic code) is the core of the Vinaya Piṭaka — the most essential training rules that all bhikkhunīs must uphold. Bi Pc 88 belongs to the Bhikkhunī Pācittiya (offenses requiring acknowledgment and light expiation), the portion of the Vinaya that regulates the daily conduct of female monastics in the Buddhist Sangha.
This rule was formulated in the early period of the Sangha, while the Blessed One Śākyamuni was still alive, instructing the bhikkhunīs concerning what should be avoided in order to preserve purity of mind and to maintain right and proper conduct. The regulation concerning bathing with scented water or water containing coloring substances is not merely an avoidance of luxury in the material sense; rather, it is to ensure that the practice of the Dhamma does not descend into activities related to sensual attachment and the adornment of the body for the purpose of attracting attention or creating a beautiful outward appearance.
Principal Content
The Gandhavaṇṇaka rule stipulates that any bhikkhunī who bathes (or anoints) her body with scented water (gandha) or water containing coloring matter (vaṇṇa) — substances that are cosmetic in nature, making the skin brighter or more fragrant — must perform expiation according to the prescribed rite (pācittiya). These are not grave offenses such as pārājika (acts that lead to expulsion from the Sangha), but are offenses that must be acknowledged and expiated formally in the presence of another female monastic.
The reasoning behind this rule is clear: the use of cosmetic or beautifying substances, whose purpose is to make oneself more attractive, readily gives rise to thoughts of sensual desire, or draws unnecessary attention from others. The Bhikkhunī Sangha is taught that the monastic life is for the realization of the Dhamma and liberation, not for cultivating or adorning oneself with the aim of inspiring affection or admiration.
This does not mean that bhikkhunīs are forbidden from bathing and maintaining cleanliness. On the contrary, cleanliness is an important element of Buddhist ethical conduct.
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