The 13 Dhutaṅga Practices

1. Wearing Pansukula robes (Paṁsukūla-cīvaraṅga) – Only wearing robes made from cloth collected from discarded pieces, not using new robes.

2. Only three robes (Tecīvarikaṅga) – Only keeping three basic robes, without accumulating extra ones.

3. Alms Round (Piṇḍapātaṅga) – Only receiving food through alms, not storing food.

4. Alms Round in order (Sapadānacārikaṅga) – When going on alms rounds, receiving food in order, from house to house, without choosing.

5. Eating only one meal a day (Ekāsanikaṅga) – Only eating one meal per day, not snacking or saving food.

6. Eating from the bowl (Patta-piṇḍikaṅga) – Only eating food from the alms bowl, not using separate dishes.

7. Dwelling in the forest (Āraññikaṅga) – Living in the forest, avoiding populated areas.

8. Sleeping under a tree (Rukkhamūlikaṅga) – Sleeping under a tree, not residing in a house.

9. Sleeping outdoors (Abbhokāsikaṅga) – Sleeping outdoors, not residing in a hermitage or sheltered place.

10. Dwelling in a cemetery or burial ground (Sosānikaṅga) – Living in desolate places like cemeteries to meditate on impermanence.

11. Sitting only, not lying down (Nesajjikaṅga) – Not lying down to sleep, only sitting for meditation and resting in a sitting posture.

12. Accepting any place to stay (Yathāsanthatikaṅga) – Not choosing a permanent place to stay, sleeping wherever circumstances allow.

13. Keeping the Dhutaṅga practice complete (Dhutaṅga-samādāna) – Practicing all of the above disciplines carefully and without mixing them with other practices.

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The Meaning of the 13 Dhutaṅga Practices

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These practices help the practitioner reduce desires, strengthen willpower, live simply, and remain free from material attachments, thereby attaining liberation and wisdom. This is the path followed by the monks to emulate the Buddha and the Noble Sangha.

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Other lists according to Mahayana tradition or different interpretations:

There are other lists in which:

• "Not lying down" and "Sitting only" may be combined.

• Keeping all 13 practices intact is counted as a separate practice.

• The practice of using only natural medicines may not appear.

• Some traditions replace "Khuddaka-mattānuyutik'anga" with "Dhutaṅga-samādāna" (the firm determination to keep all practices intact).