Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 93Sitting Without Permission

Explanation of the Anāpucchāabhinisīdana Sutta (Sitting Without Asking Permission)

Background

The Anāpucchāabhinisīdana Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the regulations concerning female bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of training rules (Vinaya) that the Buddha established to maintain discipline in the Saṅgha, the community of practitioners. Each rule usually arises from a specific event in the life of this Saṅgha.

This rule concerns a simple action with deep meaning: sitting down without asking permission from those worthy of respect. It reflects a basic principle in Buddhism: respect, humility, and awareness of one’s social position in the community. Bhikkhunīs need to understand these rules in order to maintain harmony and discipline.

Main Content

The rule Anāpucchāabhinisīdana states that a bhikkhunī may not sit down without asking permission when those who should be respected are present. Specifically, this applies in cases such as when bhikkhus, elderly laypeople, or those of higher standing in the Saṅgha are present.

This rule does not arise from arbitrariness, but from the basic principle of respect for seniors in the Saṅgha. Asking permission before sitting is an expression of reverence and shows awareness of legal relationships and social order in the community of practice. This is a practice of spiritual education, training humility and restraining a self-indulgent temperament.

This rule is also related to Pācittiya, offenses against the training rules, where a bhikkhunī who violates it must acknowledge and publicly confess before the community.

Practical Meaning

Although today we live in modern society, the spirit of this rule remains very important for practitioners.