Teachings on Attire and the Mindful Life

The Simplicity of the Natural State

Clothing serves the fundamental purpose of covering the body and providing warmth. A simple and modest style is the most natural expression of one’s being. By choosing light, plain colours, one maintains a clear and serene spirit. When we dress with dignity and grace, our appearance naturally manifests a harmonious state of mind. However, when we wear strange or flashy clothing to attract the attention of others, we reveal a worldly heart, tethered to the ego. How much of our precious time and energy do we squander on the vanity of our appearance?

The Turbulence of Worldly Vanity

We must be deeply mindful of how our choices affect our spiritual progress. The following factors often lead to the scattering of our focus:

• The five colours disturb the Six Roots, causing our senses to become overwhelmed by external stimuli.Delusions and messy thoughts begin to scatter the mind, pulling us away from the path of practice.In the heat of summer, wearing revealing clothing fails to cover the body properly.Exposing skin can stir up improper desires in others, which creates negative karma and leads to suffering in the future.

The Sacred Duty of Cherishing Blessings

If you are fortunate enough to wear fine clothing, you must recognise that this is a result of your past blessings. You must cherish these blessings and practise Generosity. If you have worn clothing made from animal skins, you must understand that there is a path to Chao Du for those spirits. By acknowledging this, you can help them leave suffering behind and find happiness.

The Unwavering Heart Amidst External Change

Wearing clean, white clothing brings peace to the body and mind. It ensures that those who see you do not have their Six Roots disturbed. No matter what external conditions appear, if you have meditative concentration in your heart, you will not be moved. If you find it difficult to maintain this state of mind, you should distance yourself from strange or distracting appearances. This prevents the arising of improper thoughts that lead to creating causes and suffering the consequences.

The Boundless Grace of the Western Pure Land

In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, if you think of clothing, it appears before you. You can have any style you desire, fulfilling the wishes of all sentient beings. Therefore, do not let your practice be troubled by concerns over clothing. Always remember to be grateful for the source of your blessings. By focusing on your diligent practice and achieving the necessary skills, you are offering the highest form of gratitude to the Buddha. This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.