Lzh Mi Bi Vb Sk 30Arms Akimbo (2nd)
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyakhambhakata
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Exposition of the Dutiyakhambhakata Discourse (Arms Folded a Second Time)
Context
The Dutiyakhambhakata discourse is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Suttavibhaṅga of the Bhikkhunovāda, the discipline for bhikkhus. It is part of the rules of conduct established by the Blessed Buddha and the Sangha to govern members of the Sangha organization.
The background for the arising of this discourse is related to the fact that bhikkhus should not display an arrogant, rude, or disrespectful attitude in daily activities. The term "Khambhakata" (arms folded) describes a bodily posture in which someone crosses the arms before the chest, in a manner often seen in contentious discussion or a disrespectful attitude. The "second" version (Dutiya) shows that this was the second time the issue arose and was recorded in the rules.
Like many discourses in the Vinaya Piṭaka, this discourse is transmitted in the manner that the Blessed Buddha directly witnessed the matter or received a report about it, and then gave a corresponding rule to guide the Sangha community.
Main Content
This discourse deals with the issue of improper attitudes and gestures by bhikkhus when interacting with other bhikkhus or participating in Sangha meetings. The posture of folding the arms (khambhakata) is considered an expression of arrogance, rudeness, or insufficient respect toward the Sangha and its principles.
According to the Pāli tradition, this rule is intended to cultivate a spirit of humility, courtesy, and mutual respect in the monastic community. The Buddhadharma emphasizes that outward bodily attitude, expressed through gesture, reflects the inner state of mind. When a bhikkhu folds his arms in this way, it can be understood as a form of latent resistance or an uncooperative attitude.
The rule was established not to punish, but to educate and help monastics become aware of the influence of outward conduct on spiritual development.
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