Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 22Arms Akimbo (2nd)

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE FIRST PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– CLARIFYING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

22. "A rule of training: One must not sit with arms akimbo in the home of a layperson."

Arms akimbo: either resting one hand on the hip, or resting both hands on the hips. One must not sit with arms akimbo in the home of a layperson.

When receiving a meal at the monastery or in the presence of preceptors, teachers, or senior bhikkhus, one must not sit with arms akimbo. If, due to old age or illness, or suffering from a rheumatic condition causing back pain, one sits with arms akimbo, there is no offense. If one has a boil, abscess, or sores requiring a medicinal dressing, and one sits with arms akimbo out of concern for soiling one's robe, there is no offense. However, upon seeing an Elder arrive, one must lower one's hands. If, with faculties unrestrained, one sits with arms akimbo in the home of a layperson, this constitutes disregard for a rule of training. Excepting one whose mind is deranged, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule of training: One must not sit with arms akimbo in the home of a layperson."

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, a group of six bhikkhus, while sitting in the home of a layperson, were swinging their legs, waving their hands about, and even plucking at grass, so that people of the world mocked them, saying: "Why do these Sakyan ascetics behave like performers and dancers? Sitting in a layperson's home with their hands and feet never still — these are degenerates; what virtue do they possess!"

The bhikkhus then reported this matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha had the group of six bhikkhus summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

— Is it true that you did this?

— It is true, Blessed One.

— From this day forward, you must not move your hands and feet about while sitting in the home of a layperson.

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for ten good reasons he laid down this rule for the bhikkhus — and even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA FROM INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH