Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 89Low Seats

The Text on Low Seats (Nīcāsana)

Background

The Text on Low Seats is recorded in the Khandaka section (Chapters) of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the Vinaya section for bhikkhunīs. This is a disciplinary rule directly related to acts of respect and humility in the community of monks and nuns.

The text was recorded when the Buddha, on some occasion, discovered improper conduct concerning the use of seats, especially low seats. This may have occurred in the context of women disciples failing to follow the spirit of patience and humility required by the Buddhadharma. The use of a low seat (nīcāsana) is an expression of humility and respect, contrary to sitting on high seats in order to display power or status.

In the Theravāda tradition, every detail concerning actions, implements, or methods of simple living has deep educational meaning, intended to train the mind of the monastic to focus on the goal of liberation.

Main Content

The rule on low seats in the general Vinaya is as follows: bhikkhunīs are required to use seats and sitting places of a height appropriate to the spirit of humility. The use of high, broad, or luxuriously decorated seats violates the spirit of practice. This is not an unreasonable prohibition, but a clear expression of the elimination of pride and the display of contentment with what is simple.

A low seat (nīcāsana) in the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka is a seemingly small detail that contains profound philosophy. It symbolizes lowering oneself, not being arrogant or rejecting humble living conditions. When a nun follows this rule, she not only observes the regulation but also practices a mind of non-clinging, without elaboration and without pretension.

Vinaya texts record that if a bhikkhunī violates this rule, the violation is considered Pācittiya, a minor wrongdoing requiring confession. This shows the degree of seriousness: not for punishment, but for shaping the mind and actions of the practitioner.