Lzh Mu Bu Vb Sk 83Nokkhittakāyassa
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nokkhittakāyassa
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Explanation of Nokkhittakāyassa (Vinaya Piṭaka)
Background
Nokkhittakāyassa is an important pericope in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, belonging to the set of detailed rules concerning bodily action (kāya) for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. This name means “specified bodily actions” or “clearly defined bodily actions,” reflecting the purpose of this passage: to clarify rules concerning posture and bodily action in the life of practice.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was constructed as a detailed legal system to guide the community of monks and nuns according to the Buddhist path. These rules are not imposed arbitrarily, but arise from specific situations that occurred during the practice of the Buddha’s disciples. Nokkhittakāyassa focuses especially on bodily actions recognized and regulated by the Buddha or the Sangha, in order to protect the purity of the community of Dharma practice.
The historical context shows that these rules were established in the early years after the Dharma was propagated, when problems arose from improper actions by bhikkhus. The rules are not restrictions, but a legal framework to protect and develop virtue.
Main Content
Nokkhittakāyassa usually concerns specific bodily actions that bhikkhus must avoid or observe in order to maintain merit and communal discipline. These may include rules about posture, how to sit, how to stand, how to walk, and other actions in the daily life of a practitioner.
In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, these “specified bodily actions” are not overly severe demands but basic ethical standards. For example, a bhikkhu must know how to maintain pure bodily posture (iriyāpatha), that is, the ways of standing, walking, sitting, and lying down with dignity and in keeping with the nature of a renunciant. These actions reflect respect for the Dharma and the community.
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