Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 28Lowered Eyes (2nd)
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu
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The Second Discourse on Lowered Eyes
Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu
Context
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the foundational collection of ethical and disciplinary law for the Buddhist Saṅgha. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a compilation of rules of conduct, but a manifestation of the Dharma intended to protect and nurture the spiritual life of all who pursue the path of practice. This discourse bears the title "Lowered Eyes" (okkhittacakkhu), pointing to the attitude of mindfulness and discipline on the path of cultivation.
The character of the Vinaya Piṭaka is to record the specific situations encountered by disciples, from which the Buddha sets forth principles of practice. The Vinaya texts are arranged according to subject matter and according to the gravity of the offences involved. The word "Second" (Dutiya) in the title suggests that this is one aspect or a recapitulation of this principle.
Main Content
The principle of "Lowered Eyes" is an important aspect of the deportment of Buddhist practice. It is not simply a matter of looking down at the ground, but is a symbol of the restraint of the sense faculties (indriya saṃvāra). The eye, one of the six sense bases, is the first gateway through which impressions from the external world enter the mind.
In the context of practice, "lowering the eyes" means not allowing the mind to be drawn toward pleasing sights, not cultivating a habit of gazing with delight or craving at visible forms. This is a prerequisite for the development of concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā). The Vinaya teaches that those bhikkhus whose deportment is finest are those who are able to restrain their faculties (indriya), and that this restraint begins with governing the manner of one's looking.
According to the records of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Buddha did not only require his disciples to lower their eyes in specific situations — such as when walking through a village or when in the presence of female lay devotees — but regarded it as an expression of a humble and unassuming mind, free from conceit and arrogance. This humility is not weakness, but rather wakefulness and a safeguard against the obstacles that may arise on the path of practice.
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