Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 22Lowered Eyes (2nd)
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu
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Explanation of the Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu Sutta (Lowered Eyes the Second Time)
Context
The Dutiyaokkhittacakkhu Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon and is found among the regulations on the conduct of monks and nuns. This sutta records the Buddha’s teaching related to training in the restraint of the sense faculties, especially vision, one of the important foundations of the Vinaya in the Early Buddhist tradition.
The context arose from incidents encountered by monks and nuns in the course of practice. When taking part in communal activities, coming into contact with worldly sights, or moving through villages, if practitioners do not govern the mind through the sense faculties, they can easily fall into situations harmful to spiritual independence and mental concentration (samādhi). The Buddha therefore established specific instructions to protect monks and nuns on the path to liberation.
Main Content
This sutta highlights a basic Vinaya rule: lowering the gaze (okkhittacakkhu). The term "dutiya" (the second time) indicates that this is the second time, or a further aspect, of this regulation being emphasized or repeated in the Vinaya materials in order to clarify its meaning.
Lowering the gaze is not merely a physical act. It is the outward expression of restraint of the sense faculties (indriyasaṃvara). When a monk or nun walks on the road, the eyes should be directed downward about one fathom ahead, approximately three meters, focused on the path in front, instead of wandering around. This method helps:
First, to avoid unnecessary visual stimulation from images of women, men, or scenes that disturb the mind.
Second, to maintain mindfulness (sati) and mental concentration (samādhi) on the central purpose of practice, whether walking meditation (caṅkamana) or proceeding toward a destination, rather than allowing the mind to stray into external objects.
Third, to express humility (hiri ottappa) in conduct, helping others see the refined image of a true practitioner.
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