Bi Sk 11. Not wearing the sarong evenly all around

Scripture Commentary: Parimaṇḍala (Not Wearing the Robe Evenly All Around)

Background

This text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the section governing conduct and discipline within the Buddhist Sangha. Specifically, it is an offense (pācittiya) within the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha — the rules of training for Buddhist nuns. Although the title may appear minor, it reflects a profound philosophy of Theravāda Buddhism: propriety, self-discipline, and respect for the shared standards of the monastic community.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, based on the guidance the Buddha had given throughout forty-five years of teaching. The rules of training are categorized according to their degree of severity, ranging from grave offenses (pārājika) to lighter restrictions (dukkaṭa). The regulation concerning the manner of wearing robes is not a matter of aesthetics, but rather an expression of one's quality of practice: mindfulness, non-negligence, and adherence to communal standards in order to maintain harmony within the Sangha.

Main Content

The rule of "Parimaṇḍala" — wearing the robe unevenly around the body — is regarded as a dukkaṭa offense, that is, a minor wrongdoing requiring acknowledgment (dukkaṭa). A bhikkhunī should not wear her robe in such a way that it does not cover the body evenly all around. This includes wearing the civara (the triple robe of monastics) or other garments in a manner that is unbalanced or misaligned, exposing parts that ought not be exposed, or presenting an appearance that is lacking in dignity.

The deeper purpose of this rule is to maintain restraint of the sense faculties and to protect the mind from pleasures associated with the beauty of the body. In the Theravāda tradition, the robe (civara) is regarded as one of the three basic requisites of a monastic (the three supports): robes, food, and lodging.