Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pc 49Raising a Hand

The Talasattika Sutta (Raising the Hand)

Background

The Talasattika rule belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, an important part of the traditional Buddhist Tipiṭaka. The Vinaya Piṭaka records regulations concerning the conduct of the Sangha, established on the basis of specific events in the course of the Buddha’s and his disciples’ practice.

This rule bears the title “Raising the Hand” (Talasattika), reflecting a simple action with profound significance for attestation and confirmation within the Sangha community. The background of the rule concerns procedures for determining offenses or disciplinary matters in the Sangha when the agreement of the monks is needed.

“Raising the hand” (tala = palm; sattika = seven) is an ancient form of voting, commonly used to confirm agreement or attest a communal decision. It is a transparent, public method, reflecting the spirit of fairness and communal responsibility in the history of Buddhist practice.

Main Content

The Talasattika rule concerns a disciplinary procedure in the Sangha when it is necessary to determine the legality of a decision. The specific content of this rule has not been fully translated, but according to the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the method of “raising the hand” is applied in situations such as:

When the Sangha must vote on a disciplinary matter, members raise their hands to show approval or opposition. This method ensures clarity and avoids concealment or indirect action. The use of “raising the hand” rather than other methods, such as appointment or silent voting, shows the openness and accountability of each member.

This rule reflects an important principle in the Vinaya Piṭaka: any decision affecting the community must be carried out openly, clearly, and with the participation of all concerned. This protects the rights of each individual and ensures that decisions reflect the common will of the Sangha.