Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Sk 89Low Seats

Commentary on the Nīcāsana Sutta (Low Seats)

Background

The Nīcāsana Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically among the regulations concerning daily implements used by bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the first collection of teachings in the Tipiṭaka, recording in detail the rules and practices that the Buddha Gotama established for the Sangha.

The background of this scripture arises from practical need: as the Sangha grew, matters concerning living, eating, dwelling, and ordinary daily actions required clear guidance. The use of household objects, including seats, became a subject needing regulation in order to maintain order and avoid ostentatious or self-important behavior in the Sangha. These regulations are not major rules, but they reflect the spirit of practice and the humble way of life the Buddha wished to foster.

Main Content

The Nīcāsana Sutta concerns instructions on the use of seats or sitting surfaces of low height. According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, objects such as chairs, mats, or seats should not be too high or luxurious, because this contradicts the ideal of humility and simple living.

Specifically, this scripture reminds the Sangha that using seats that are too high or reach toward the ceiling, in contrast to nīca-āsana, low seats, is not suitable for the renunciant way of life. This expresses the principle that monastics should live humbly, avoiding luxurious objects or things that create an appearance of display.

These rules are closely connected with teachings on detachment from sensual desire (kāma) and focus on the Dharma. Choosing simple and plain objects is a way of teaching that concentration on practice is more important than material conditions.