Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 105Sitting Without Permission
Pāli / Sanskrit:Anāpucchāabhinisīdana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Anāpucchāabhinisīdana Sutta — Sitting Without Asking Permission
Background
The Anāpucchāabhinisīdana Sutta (Anāpucchā: not asking; abhinisīdana: sitting down) belongs to the Pātimokkha, the collection of basic prohibitions for monks and nuns that developed over time. This rule records an act that seems simple but carries deep meaning in the renunciant community: sitting down without first asking permission.
In the context of the Sangha community, every action expresses respect and self-awareness. The assigning of seats, especially in communal activities such as meditation or Dharma study, is not a matter of power or mere control, but the nature of harmonious order. The act of “sitting down without asking permission” (anāpucchā abhinisīdana) violates this principle and is regarded as a minor Pācittiya offense, a prohibition requiring public confession.
This sutta reflects the philosophy of early Buddhism: every action in communal life requires mental preparation and openness. This not only regulates conduct but also trains the spirit of humility and careful consideration.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the rule on sitting without asking permission forbids a specific act: a bhikkhunī must not sit down in a place without first asking permission from the presiding person or instructor (ājīvaka) if she is not certain that the act is appropriate. This interpretation may be extended to asking permission from those with authority to decide, such as senior bhikkhunīs or teachers.
This violation is regarded as disrespectful, because it reveals self-willed action according to personal desire while disregarding instruction or communal arrangement. A bhikkhunī who commits this fault must:
Clearly acknowledge it before a witness, at minimum another bhikkhunī. Publicly confess the disrespect she has caused. Resolve to ask permission next time. This is not different in kind from other rules in the Pātimokkha, but it specifies a subtle dimension of communal life.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.