San Mu Bu Pm GBM 2 Pc 49Raising a Hand
Pāli / Sanskrit:Talasattika
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
THE DISCOURSE ON RAISING THE HAND: AN EXPLANATION OF TALASATTIKA
Background
The discourse on raising the hand (Talasattika) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code governing the life of bhikkhus. It is a rule related to the etiquette and actions of members of the Sangha within the context of the community of practice.
The title "Talasattika" means "raising the hand" or "lifting up the hand," reflecting a bodily action within the formal rules of the Sangha. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, such regulations are not merely outward actions but also express respect, discipline, and internal order in the community of renunciants. This discourse belongs among the rules concerning proper conduct in Sangha meetings or situations requiring formal expression.
In the Theravāda tradition, such details were recorded to ensure that monastics maintain dignity, unity, and mutual respect. This is part of the foundation of the discipline established by the Buddha to support practice and preserve the Dharma for a long time.
Main Content
The rule concerning raising the hand in the Vinaya context is directly related to formal situations within the Sangha. When voting, confirming, or expressing agreement in Sangha meetings is required, bhikkhus raise the hand as a clear, direct, and formal means of expression.
This simple act of raising the hand carries many deeper meanings. First, it is a symbol of active and conscious participation in the community. Not every bhikkhu raises the hand; only those who have the right to speak, those who are asked, or those who need to express their position do so. This creates order in large meetings of the Sangha.
Second, raising the hand is an expression of sincerity and truthfulness. It is not a hidden or secret act, but public and clear.
🌏 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.