Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 21Lowered Eyes

SUTTA ON LOWERED EYES (Okkhittacakkhu)

Context

The Okkhittacakkhu Sutta (Lowered Eyes) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, with the purpose of regulating the conduct and attitude of bhikkhus in the situations of daily life. In the Pāli Canon, the Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection that sets out the rules and ethical conduct by which novices maintain purity of mind and body.

This sutta appears in the context of the Buddha teaching solemnity, discipline, and control of the sense faculties, fundamental elements in the training of a bhikkhu. Lowering the eyes is not an expression of weakness or cowardice, but a sign of a trained mind, a heart tamed by the Dharma.

Main Content

The Okkhittacakkhu Sutta emphasizes that a practicing bhikkhu should lower the eyes and not look around carelessly. This does not mean bowing the head or lacking confidence, but is an expression of indriyasaṃvara, restraint of the sense faculties (indriya), especially the eye (cakkhu).

This solemn quality is shown through the carefulness of each step and each gesture. When the eyes are lowered, the bhikkhu does not allow consciousness to be drawn by attractive forms, colors, shapes, and the beauty of objects or people around him. This is a meditative action in daily life.

According to the Early Buddhist tradition, restraint of the sense faculties is the first step leading to samādhi (concentration) and paññā (wisdom). When the eye is restrained, the mind is not scattered, not pulled by visible forms, and does not fall into sensual desire or anger. From this, the mind becomes peaceful and clear, capable of rightly contemplating the impermanent (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anattā) nature of phenomena.

This sutta also records that a bhikkhu should maintain this attitude whether in the monastery, walking on the road, or meeting the public.