Confession 158

The 158th training precept: Wearing colorful shoes.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Sundarīnandā bhikkhunī went on almsround wearing colorful shoes. Brahmin householders saw her and were upset: “Even though this bald renunciate shaved her head, she doesn’t have pure conduct. She’s afflicted by craving.” The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked Sundarīnandā: “Did you really go on almsround wearing colorful shoes in this way?” She answered: “I really did.” The World-honored One criticized her, as explained in detail, down to: “I’ll lay down another training precept. You should recite it like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī wears colorful shoes, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Sundarīnandā etc.

“Wearing colorful shoes” means keeping variously embroidered shoes, and wearing, using, and walking around with them.

The explanations of the rule factors etc. are as explained in detail before.

There’s no offense: If she wears and uses them inside her own room, the offense isn’t committed.