Lzh Mi Bi Pm Sk 38Lowered Eyes (2nd)
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu
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THE SUTTA ON LOWERING THE GAZE (SECOND)
Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu — An Instruction on Contemplation
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the section of discipline governing the life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the early Buddhist Sangha. "Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu"—that is, "Lowered Eyes for the second time"—is recorded as a practical instruction on contemplation of the body, arising from specific situations in the life of monastic discipline.
In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this sutta is not an independent sermon but a rule of conduct concerning the way monastics live, especially how they restrain the senses and mental notions. This instruction arose from a practical need: to help Buddhist trainees avoid falling into states of ignorance (avijjā) and craving (lobha), the root causes that lead to suffering.
Main Content
"Lowered Eyes" refers to a basic practice on the path: continuous contemplation of one’s own body and sense faculties. More specifically, the sutta teaches that a monastic should frequently lower the eyes and not seek to glance around aimlessly. This is not a harshly imposed rule, but a means of practice (upāya) for protecting the mind from distraction.
The action of "lowering the gaze" has deep meaning: it is an expression of clear awareness (sampajañña) of one’s own actions and intentions. When we do not control the eyes, the mind is easily pulled along by external objects, from which desire or aversion arises. Conversely, when a monastic actively controls seeing, the mind becomes calmer, creating favorable conditions for meditation (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā) to develop.
This sutta may also be understood in the broader context of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna)—the comprehensive method of contemplating body, feelings, mind, and dhammas.
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