Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Sk 89Low Seats
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nīcāsana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Exposition of the Nīcāsana Sutta (Low Seats)
Background
The Nīcāsana Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the list of prohibitions for bhikkhus. This is an important section of discipline established by the Buddha to govern the collective life of the Sangha.
The Nīcāsana Sutta concerns regulations on the conduct of bhikkhus in daily life, especially matters to be avoided in order to maintain discipline and restraint. The background of this sutta arose from practical problems encountered by the Sangha, which the Buddha addressed by setting forth clear rules.
In the context of ancient Indian society, regulations concerning how to sit and how to behave carried deep meaning. Low seats (nīcāsana) are not only a physical matter, but also symbolize a humble state of mind and self-discipline, core qualities of a true practitioner.
Main Content
The Nīcāsana Sutta prescribes that bhikkhus should not use seats or chairs that are excessively high or luxurious. Specifically, bhikkhus are permitted to use low, humble seats suited to the nature of the life of practice.
This rule arose from a specific event: some bhikkhus had begun using high and luxurious chairs, like worldly people. This created unnecessary distinctions in the Sangha and violated the spirit of humility that monastics must observe.
The Buddha saw that the use of high seats was connected with pride, attachment, and ambition, great obstacles on the path of practice. Therefore, he established the rule: bhikkhus should use only low seats, no more than 45 cm high, with simple legs and without luxurious decorations such as ivory or other precious materials.
This rule is also connected with the principle of "Dhamma," the true Dharma.
🌏 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.