Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Sk 76Shaking the Hand

Explanation of the Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta (Shaking the Hand)

Background

The Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, reflecting the detailed disciplinary regulations of the Buddhist Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a formal code of law, but also an expression of respect, civility in conduct, and purity of mind within the monastic community.

The title “Hatthaniddhunaka” means “shaking the hand” (hatthi = hand, niddhunaka = shaking). This is one of the matters of daily life that the Buddha taught to the bhikkhus, in order to help build a wholesome discipline of practice and avoid actions that are disrespectful or may cause misunderstanding.

The discourse belongs to the Early Buddhist tradition, the Pāli Canon, the Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) recension or another Theravāda tradition, and is recorded with high reliability as to the early teachings of the Buddha for the Sangha.

Main Content

This discourse teaches proper conduct in shaking or waving the hand, especially in situations involving interaction among monastics or between monastics and laypeople. This seemingly simple action was included by the Buddha in the Vinaya Piṭaka to make clear that no action is meaningless in the Path.

Bhikkhus are instructed to attend to the way they shake or wave their hands. Such actions should not be performed carelessly, arbitrarily, or with an arrogant quality. Instead, all movements, including hand gestures, should reflect stillness, composure, and respect toward other monastics as well as those with whom one has contact.

The discourse may also mention specific situations in which shaking the hand could be misunderstood as a form of disrespect or an insulting intention, thereby giving clear guidance to avoid unnecessary conflicts. This reflects the principle in the Vinaya Piṭaka that outward action should be consistent with inward respect.