Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Sk 50Swaying (2nd)

Exposition of the Dutiyakāyappacālaka Scripture (The Second Time Concerning Bodily Swaying)

Background

The Dutiyakāyappacālaka scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli Canon, a collection related to rules of discipline and conduct in Buddhist monasteries. The title of this scripture means "Bodily swaying (second time)" or "Swaying (2nd)," indicating a specific event in the early history of the Sangha community.

The background of this scripture lies in the period when the Buddha was still living, as the community of monks began to expand and issues of discipline appeared. The scripture was recorded to address an incident involving inappropriate conduct by a monk, specifically swaying or shaking the body in an improper way. This was not a trivial event, but one that led the Sangha community to revisit its rules and education concerning dignified religious conduct.

Main Content

The Dutiyakāyappacālaka scripture recounts that a monk swayed his body in a suggestive or undignified manner. This conduct was considered a violation of the principles of Vinaya discipline, because monks must keep their bodies pure and dignified, avoiding actions that may cause distraction or arouse sensuality.

When the Buddha was informed of this matter, he used it as an opportunity to teach the Sangha about the importance of guarding the body. The Buddha taught that one of the three ways of accumulating unwholesome karma (kamma) is through the body: if the body is not well governed, it becomes a vehicle for improper actions.

This scripture likely led to the establishment or clarification of a training rule (sikkhāpada) or specific rule of conduct intended to prevent similar actions in the future. This reflects the way the Vinaya Piṭaka developed, not as a code issued in advance, but as rules created gradually in response to real situations arising in the community.