Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Sk 76Shaking the Hand
Pāli / Sanskrit:Hatthaniddhunaka
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The Hand-Shaking Sutta: An Exposition According to the Early Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
The Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta (Shaking the Hand) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the rules governing monks and nuns. This is an essential part of the Pātimokkha, the foundational ethical rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe.
The background of this event concerns incidents that occurred in early Buddhist monasteries, where nuns had inappropriate contact with men. The Buddha, with profound wisdom, established rules to protect the Dharma conduct of nuns and at the same time protect the honor of the Sangha and the monastery.
This sutta is recorded as part of the completion of the Vinaya Piṭaka, a comprehensive work intended to guide the monastic community in living a pure and ethical life.
Main Content
The Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta deals with the issue of bodily contact between nuns and men. Specifically, it refers to the act of "shaking the hand," a form of contact through the hand, between a bhikkhunī and a man, whether about to go forth or not.
According to the rules in the Vinaya, intentional bodily contact between male and female persons not united by a purpose of practice is regarded as an offense. Specifically, if a bhikkhunī intentionally shakes hands or makes contact with a man under the motive of lust or what is unholy, this is considered a breach of a specific rule.
This rule is not due to a restriction on freedom, but precisely because of the need to protect spiritual life. Bodily contact can easily stimulate impure conduct and obstruct the path of practice leading toward nirvana.
The Vinaya does not regard all contact as an offense, only contact with intention (saṅkappa), actions performed under the influence of greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), or delusion (moha). If contact occurs accidentally without a lustful motive, or in necessary circumstances, such as saving someone from danger, it is not considered an offense.
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