San Mg 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.
Interpretation of the Na Niṣaṇṇo Hastaṁ Kokṛtyamvā Pādakaukṛtyamvā Sutta
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, where the training rules and discipline of the Sangha are recorded. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not rigid administrative law, but guidance that helps bhikkhus and bhikkhunis practice in accordance with the Dharma of the Buddha. This sutta specifically states actions that should not be done while sitting, related to bodily gestures such as movements of the hands and feet.
The background for the appearance of this rule reflects the Buddha’s careful attention to every detail of religious life. Maintaining the body with awareness is an important part of practicing the Noble Eightfold Path, especially Right Livelihood (Sammā Ājīva) and Right Effort (Sammā Vāyāma).
Main Content
The sutta states that when a bhikkhu is sitting, he should not make unconscious movements such as snapping the fingers (hastaṁ kokṛtyamvā) or striking the feet (pādakaukṛtyamvā). Though these movements may be unintentional, they reflect a state of mind that is unfocused, lacking mindfulness (sati), and not settled (samādhi).
The word “niṣaṇṇo” means sitting, a posture regarded as very suitable for meditation and practice. When seated in this posture, the practitioner should maintain contemplation of the whole body, so that every movement is conscious. Each unmindful movement of hands or feet is a sign of a mind not governed, wandering according to habitual tendencies.
This rule does not prohibit all movement of the hands and feet, but reminds practitioners that they must be mindful of every action, however small. This is an expression of Satipaṭṭhāna, the foundations of mindfulness: contemplation of the body, feelings, mind, and dharmas.
Practical Meaning
This rule teaches that practice of the Buddha’s Dharma does not stop at meditation or right view, but penetrates every detail of daily life. Every movement, whether sleeping or waking, is an opportunity to train the mind.
🌏 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.