Overview
The Dhutaṅgas are extreme ascetic practices voluntarily undertaken by Theravāda monastics to ruthlessly shake off defilements (specifically craving for comfort, food, and robes). They are not mandatory Vinaya rules, but the Buddha highly praised monks like Venerable Mahākassapa who observed them.
The List
Regarding Robes:
- Paṃsukūlik’aṅga - Wearing only robes made from discarded rags (refuse-rag wearer).
- Tecīvarik’aṅga - Possessing and wearing only three robes, never keeping a fourth.
Regarding Food:
- Piṇḍapātik’aṅga - Eating only food collected on alms round, refusing invitations to laypeoples’ houses.
- Sapadānacārik’aṅga - Begging for alms strictly from house to house in order, not skipping poor houses.
- Ekāsanik’aṅga - Eating only one meal a day at a single sitting.
- Pattapiṇḍik’aṅga - Eating only from the alms bowl, mixing all food together, refusing plates.
- Khalupacchābhattik’aṅga - Refusing all food offered after one has already started eating, even if still hungry.
Regarding Dwellings:
- Āraññik’aṅga - Living exclusively in the forest, far from villages.
- Rukkhamūlik’aṅga - Living exclusively at the root of a tree (not in a hut).
- Abbhokāsik’aṅga - Living exclusively in the open air, with no roof or tree cover.
- Susānik’aṅga - Living exclusively in a charnel ground or cemetery.
- Yathāsanthatik’aṅga - Sleeping in whatever bed/location is assigned, without complaining or requesting a better one.
Regarding Posture:
- Nesajjik’aṅga - The Sitter’s Practice: Never lying down. Sleeping only in a seated posture.
Textual References
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter II) – Buddhaghosa provides the absolute definitive manual detailing exactly how to undertake, maintain, and grade the strictness of these 13 practices.