Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Sk 93Not Interlace Hands While Travelling

Scripture Commentary: Not Interlacing the Hands While Walking

Background

This scripture is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Pāli Canon, in the Pātimokkha section and related regulations concerning the conduct of bhikkhus while practicing walking meditation (caṅkama). It is one of the disciplinary rules intended to refine the attitude, gesture, and outward conduct of bhikkhus during practice.

The background of this rule arose when the Buddha observed monastics in the Sangha community and noticed that some had the habit of clasping or interlacing their hands while walking. Though this act was not regarded as a serious ethical violation, the Buddha saw that it did not accord with the focused, humble, and dignified attitude a bhikkhu should maintain. Therefore, he laid down this rule to improve the practice of the monastics.

Main Content

The rule “Not interlacing the hands while walking” (Na pāṇi saṃhaṭā caṅkame) prescribes that bhikkhus must not clasp their hands together or hold them against the chest while practicing walking meditation (caṅkama). This gesture is considered unsuitable because it suggests self-consciousness, concealment, or a lack of confidence, contrary to the openness and clarity intended in walking meditation.

According to this rule, bhikkhus while walking should let their arms hang naturally at their sides, relaxed and unforced. The hands may also be placed on the abdomen or behind the back, but should not be clasped or allowed to hang in a disorderly way. The purpose of the rule is to help monastics maintain a bodily posture full of clear awareness (sampajañña), fitting for one practicing the path to awakening.

In addition, this rule aims to avoid gestures that may cause misunderstanding or be unworthy of the status of a renunciant. Walking meditation is an important method of practice in Theravāda Buddhism, used to preserve mindfulness (sati) and build concentration (samādhi) in a sustained way.