Dhutanga (Austere Moral Practices)

When the meditator has successfully undertaken Sila, he should undertake Dhutanga in order to further purify his Sila. This will make his daily routine more perfect like being washed by pure water, fostering wholesome states such as being undemanding, contented, unassuming, mindful, tranquil, satisfied, full of energy and frugal.

The meditator who is well mannered and pure in a wholesome state with purity of Sila and a daily routine free from danger is one who follows the first three old traditions of the Noble Ones. Now he deserves the fourth which is contentment in meditation. Venerable Buddhaghosa has described Dhutanga as the following:

Dhutanga means removing defilements. These are the strict rules for elimination of defilements and supporting development of meditation leading to quick attainment following the daily routine of a forest monk. This is the Dhutanga Daily Routine.

There are thirteen types of Dhutanga practice, classified in four groups:

Group One: Dhutanga Connected with Robes: (1) Refuse-Rag-Wearer’s Practice, and (2) Triple-Robe Wearer’s Practice,

Group Two: Dhutanga Connected with Alms-food: (3) Alms-Food-Eater’s Practice, (4) House-to-House-Seeker’s Practice, (5) One-Sessioner’s Practice, (6) Bowl-Food-Eater’s Practice, (7) Later-Food-Refuser’s Practice,

Group Three: Dhutanga Connected with the Resting Place: (8) Forest-Dweller’s Practice, (9) Tree-Root-Dweller’s Practice, (10) Open-Air-Dweller’s Practice, (11) Charnel-Ground-Dweller’s Practice, (12) Any-Bed-User’s Practice, and

Group Four: Dhutanga Connected with Energy: (13) Sitter’s Practice.

The Rules to Undertake Dhutanga

If the meditator undertakes Dhutanga and meditation or wholesome states develop, he should keep going. However, if meditation degenerates or unwholesome states develop, he should give up.

For the meditator who already has developed meditation, if he wishes to undertake Dhutanga, as an example for the next generation, he should undertake it. It is like the Perfect Ones such as Phra Mahเ Kassapathera. Even though he was a Perfect One, he still strictly undertook Dhutanga until his death. Whether or not one has practiced Dhutanga, if his meditation does not develop, he should undertake Dhutanga to help in the life to come.

Undertaking Dhutanga is a personal choice, it is not Sila or a discipline of the Lord Buddha’s enactment. Furthermore, A monk who does not undertake it will not commit any ecclesiastical offence. Only for a discipline enacted by Lord Buddha does a monk commit an ecclesiastical offence (Apatti) when he violates a rule.

Virtues of Dhutanga

There are Five Virtues of Dhutanga (Dhuta-dhamma). They are both the components and the essence of Dhutanga, reflecting non-greed and non-delusion:

1. Being undemanding and having few wishes (Appicchatเ),
2. Being content with what one has [non-indulgence],
3. Practicing for removal of defilements,
4. Seeking seclusion, asceticism and self-effacement,
5. Knowing what is beneficial and what is not beneficial [non-delusion].

If one undertakes Dhutanga without these five basic Dhuta, he may become demanding and greedy. As a result, the benefits of Dhutanga will not develop. Even if they have already developed, they will degenerate. The main purpose of Dhutanga is removal of defilements. It is not for gain or praise. Therefore it is important for practitioners to have these Five Ascetic States in order to develop Dhutanga properly and to continue living with it.

Being undemanding and content with what one has counters greed. Removal of defilements and seeking seclusion counter both greed and delusion. Knowledge of what is beneficial and what is not is wisdom knowledge.

Personal Resolution

All types of Dhutanga could be undertaken in the presence of Lord Buddha when Lord Buddha was alive. After the great decease (Parinibbเna), one could undertake Dhutanga in the presence of a Great Noble Disciple. Now that there are no more Great Noble Ones, one can undertake Dhutanga in the presence of any Noble Disciple: a Non-Returner, a Once-Returner, a Stream-Enterer, or other monks endowed with the Three Baskets (Tipitaka), monks who are endowed with Two Baskets, monks who are endowed with One Basket, or the Buddhist Council for Collation of the Tipitaka (Phra Aekasangitika), or the Commentaries. When there are no Commentaries, one could undertake Dhutanga in the presence of  monks who are endowed with Dhutanga. Finally, if there are no monks endowed with Dhutanga, one can sweep the Cetiya and then kneel and ask to undertake Dhutanga, like taking Dhutanga in the presence of Lord Buddha, because Dhutanga can be undertaken by oneself.

How can Dhutanga be comfortable for an individual? Undertaking Dhutanga is comfortable for one of lustful or deluded temperament. Why?  Because Dhutanga is a strict practice for the removal of defilements. Lust can be calmed by strict practice. For deluded temperament, one who is not careless will also eliminate defilement by using this practice. In addition, practicing Forest-Dweller’s Practice and the Tree-Root Dweller’s Practice is good for one of hateful temperament, because when nobody else is around, anger will not arise.