Cultural Study of Nisitha Curni

SR No.: 001743
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Madhu Sen
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 432
Language: English, Prakrit
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & Literature
File Size: 23 MB

Page 187

MATERIAL CULTURE
167
of two and a half hands covering the breasts, the back and the right shoulder, and was fastened with the fasteners on the left shoulder. 1
(iii) Veyacchiya—Veyacchiya was similar to ukkacchiya except that it was worn over the left side. The veyacchiya patta covered the kañcuka as well as the ukkacchiya.'
(iv) Samghadı--Four saṁghadis of different sizes were used by the nuns for different purposes. These, however, have been counted as one item, as only one samghadi could be worn at a time (yugapat paribhogabhavat ). One having two hands width was worn by the nuns inside the nunnery (uvassaya). The other two of three hands width were used while going out on begging-round (bhikkhattha) or for easing purposes. The fourth one having a four hands width was worn by the nuns while attending the religious sermons ( samosarana ). It covered the body from shoulders to the feet when a nun stood erect.'
(v) Khamdhakaran -It was a square piece of cloth of four hands in length and breadth, and it was to be kept upon the shoulders to protect the nuns against the strong wind. This cloth was also used for the purpose of dwarfing the stature of a beautiful nun (rüvavatiye khujjakaranatthaṁ) by putting it on the back and shoulder, and tying it with ukkacchiya and veyacchiya.
These different clothes were to be worn by the nuns while going anywhere out of the nunnery. Even during the worst circumstances when the clothes were not available or were stolen away or burnt, the nuns were to cover up their limbs with something or the other like grass or leaves. Nudity was never proclaimed for the nuns and clothes were thought to be essential for keeping up proper discipline.
1. Ibid. 2. Taarasgreto ei gefegei a asigāt affreufa_NC. 2, p. 191. 3. Ibid.; Brh. Bha. 4089-90. 4. NO. 2, p. 191; Brn. Bha. 4091.