Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 26Swinging the Arms
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bāhuppacālaka
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Bāhuppacālaka Sutta (Sutta on Swinging the Arms)
Background
The Bāhuppacālaka Sutta is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection of rules concerning monastic discipline in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This sutta is recorded among the regulations pertaining to the bodily conduct of bhikkhunis (nuns) and bhikkhus (monks). The name of the sutta, "swinging the arms" (bāhu + uppacālaka), refers to a specific situation in the communal life of the Sangha.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was set forth by the Blessed One, Śākyamuni Buddha, to protect harmony, cultivate virtue, and maintain discipline within the monastic community. Each regulation arises from a specific incident, and the Buddha guided his disciples in practicing according to appropriate rules — not out of mere fault-finding, but for the benefit of the Dharma, the growth of awakening, and the well-being of the community.
Main Content
The Bāhuppacālaka Sutta addresses the behavior of swinging the arms or making bodily gestures that are unsuitable to the dignified bearing of one who has gone forth into homelessness. Specifically, the sutta instructs that bhikkhus and bhikkhunis should not swing their arms excessively — whether too broadly, too rapidly, or in any inappropriate manner — while moving about within the community, particularly during chanting, meditation, or communal Dharma sessions.
The act of swinging the arms in an improper way may cause distraction to those nearby, disturb the stillness necessary for practice, or manifest arrogance and an overly animated conduct unbecoming of the moral character of one who has renounced the household life. Discipline in bodily gesture is a part of Sīla (virtue) — the ethical foundation of Theravāda Buddhism.
The Buddha taught that the actions of one who has gone forth must be gentle, humble, and free from the careless behaviors that any ordinary worldly person might display. The deportment of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down (Iriyāpathasampanna) must be expressed with dignity, so as to inspire faith and reverence in those who behold it. This also aids the practitioner in cultivating mindfulness and careful attention in every small detail.
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