Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 51While Standing
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ṭhitouccāra
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ṬHITOUCCĀRA SUTTA (RECOLLECTION OF THE BUDDHA WHILE STANDING)
Background
The Ṭhitouccāra Sutta is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically belonging to the regulations concerning actions permitted and not permitted in the life of the Buddhist Sangha. Found in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (the detailed explanation of the rules for bhikkhunīs, women gone forth), this text addresses a practical question: whether female Buddhist practitioners may practice recollection of the Buddha or recite scriptures while standing without violating the rules.
The context arose because women gone forth had questions about transitional moments between daily activities. For a practitioner, every bodily action is connected with carefulness and awareness (sati); therefore early Buddhism was especially concerned with clarifying what is appropriate in each specific circumstance.
Main Content
The text determines that the practice of recollection of the Buddha (Buddhānussati) or the recitation of scriptures while standing is entirely permitted and does not violate any Pātimokkha rule. This is a clear affirmation of the legitimacy of mental practice while the body is in a standing posture.
This distinction is important because the Vinaya Piṭaka does not forbid wholesome actions on the basis of bodily posture, but regulates only actions that are ethically transgressive or that cause distraction in practice. Recollection of the Buddha (Buddhānussati) is one of the six objects of recollection (Anusmṛti) regarded as essential on the Theravāda path. The practitioner reflects on the excellent qualities of Śākyamuni Buddha: the Buddha is an arhat, Sambuddha, Tathagata, the great teacher of beings.
The text also implicitly affirms the principle that practice should be flexible in its various forms. Whether standing, sitting, or walking, the spirit of practice should not be interrupted. This reflects the philosophy that liberation of the mind is not limited to any particular posture.
Practical Meaning
The value of the Ṭhitouccāra Sutta lies in its providing freedom and encouragement for monastics to continue practicing in ordinary moments.
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