Lzh Mi Bi Pm Sk 37Lowered Eyes

The Sutta on Lowered Eyes (Okkhittacakkhu)

Background

The Sutta on Lowered Eyes is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, especially in the Pātimokkha—the protective code of rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. The background of the sutta comes from the time when the Buddha was still alive, when he saw that his disciples still lacked awareness and forgot mindfulness in daily life. In particular, the issue of how one looks—that is, the direction of one’s gaze—became an important matter of practice related to restraint of the faculties. The word "Okkhittacakkhu" (lowered eyes) indicates a state of turning wisdom inward and being diligent in practice.

Main Content

Although the specific content of this sutta has not yet been fully translated, based on the context of the Theravāda Vinaya, the Okkhittacakkhu Sutta emphasizes the principle of indriyasaṃvara—restraint of the sense faculties. When a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī lowers the gaze and does not let the eyes wander, they are not tempted by attractive sights. This is not an escape from the world, but steadiness and awareness.

The Vinaya Piṭaka teaches that noble ones, whether walking under the sun or on the road, preserve mindfulness regarding the sense faculties. Lowering the eyes does not mean avoiding seeing objects, but not allowing the eyes to run after greed, hatred, and delusion. This is inseparable from the practice of the basic methods of restraining the mind. When the eyes know how to stop, the mind too will gradually become clearer, purer, and more concentrated.

Practical Meaning

Mindfulness regarding lowered eyes is a basic lesson in Theravāda practice. It is directly related to the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyamagga), especially Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati) and Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma). When a practitioner maintains mindfulness of the sense faculties, they prevent the arising of coarse desires, thereby avoiding the suffering connected with ignorant actions.