Ka Bu Pm Sk 77Low Seats

Exposition of the Nīcāsana Sutta (Low Seats)

Context

The Nīcāsana Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon and is one of the rules related to the life of monks and nuns. The context for the arising of this sutta comes from occasions when the Buddha saw bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs using seats or cushions of inappropriate height in practice. This matter is not trivial, because in the Theravāda tradition even the smallest details in the way of life of those gone forth are regarded as important means of instruction, helping disciples practice mindfulness and overcome greed, hatred, and delusion.

The appearance of this sutta in the Pāli Canon reflects the balanced attitude of the Buddha: not a complete prohibition on the use of basic living requisites, but guidance on how to use them in a way consistent with the spirit of practice and the observance of discipline.

Main Content

In the Nīcāsana Sutta, the Buddha sets forth rules concerning the use of chairs, cushions, or other objects for sitting according to certain standards. Specifically, this sutta states that chairs that are too high, especially at the back, are not appropriate for the daily use of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. Instead, low seats (nīcāsana) are encouraged, because they accord with the spirit of humility and freedom from indulgence, avoiding excessive comfort.

This rule is not merely an administrative regulation but also carries deep practical meaning. Sitting on low seats symbolizes humility, readiness to lower the ego (ahankāra), and maintaining the awareness that a disciple is on the path of abandoning entanglements and attachments and focusing on the Dharma.

Practical Meaning

The Nīcāsana Sutta teaches that practicing the Buddha-Dharma does not mean escaping the material world, but using it consciously and appropriately. Every action, even choosing a seat, is an opportunity to cultivate virtue, train the strength of the will, and lessen tendencies toward greed.