Upp Sk 47Shaking the Hand

THE SUTTA ON SHAKING THE HAND (Hatthaniddhunaka)

Background

The Sutta on Shaking the Hand (Hatthaniddhunaka) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Uppannavagga, concerning matters that arose afterward. These are rules responding to special situations of violation of bhikkhu discipline within the monastic community.

In the context of Theravāda Buddhism, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of dry prohibitions, but an expression of the Dharma intended to protect the spirit of practice and harmony in the Sangha. These rules arose from specific situations that the Buddha directly resolved, and were afterward established as formal discipline for the entire Sangha.

The Sutta on Shaking the Hand concerns actions unsuitable to the appearance of a monastic, especially gestures or actions of a sensual or undignified nature in the community. This reflects the concern of Theravāda Buddhism with maintaining outward as well as inward purity.

Main Content

The Sutta on Shaking the Hand prescribes that bhikkhus should not perform actions such as shaking the hand in a sensual or playful way. The act of "shaking the hand" (hattha-niddhunaka) here does not mean natural ordinary gestures in communication, but repeated, intentional movements of a soft or sensual nature.

This rule is set in the context of undignified actions that a bhikkhu should not perform in public or before women. Maintaining a dignified appearance and restrained independence is part of basic moral conduct (sīla). The Buddha emphasized that a bhikkhu must always maintain calm and mindfulness in every action, not allowing the mind to be governed by excitement or provocation.

The important point here is the distinction between natural actions necessary for daily life and superfluous, unnecessary actions that often arise from conceit, excessive delight, or a craving for attention from others.