San Lo Bu Pm Sk 23Na niṣaṇṇo hastaṁ kokṛtyamvā pādakaukṛtyamvā
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na niṣaṇṇo hastaṁ kokṛtyamvā pādakaukṛtyamvā
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Na Niṣaṇṇo Hastaṁ Kokṛtyamvā Pādakaukṛtyamvā Discourse
Background
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the regulations on discipline in the Sangha. The discourses in the Vinaya Piṭaka were compiled to protect the purity of the community of bhikkhus (Bhikkhusaṅgha) and bhikkhunīs, ensuring that the process of practice is not obstructed by improper conduct.
This discourse concerns inappropriate bodily actions while sitting. Regulations such as this arose from specific situations in Sangha life, which the Buddha addressed in order to maintain discipline and respect. In the Pāli Canon, rules of conduct are recorded in detail to guide bhikkhus in practicing according to the Dharma and Vinaya.
Main Content
The title “Na niṣaṇṇo hastaṁ kokṛtyamvā pādakaukṛtyamvā” means “When sitting, [a bhikkhu] should not make improper actions with the hands or with the feet.” This states that, while seated, a bhikkhu should keep the body dignified and disciplined.
Specifically, the discourse forbids careless or negligent movements such as wringing the hands, curling the fingers, raising the feet uncivilly, or actions that may be regarded as offensive or discourteous. These regulations arise from the basic principle that bhikkhus must display dignity, self-control, and mindfulness (Sati) in every posture, whether standing, sitting, lying down, or walking, according to the Buddha’s teaching.
In the context of practice, guarding bodily actions is part of Sīla (virtue). It is not only outward observance, but also expresses a mind that respects the Dharma, respects the Sangha, and respects those around oneself.
Practical Meaning
The profound question this discourse raises is: How can a practitioner maintain mindfulness in each moment, in each smallest movement of the body?
🌏 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.