San Mu Bu Pm GBM 2 Sk 37Na vikṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na vikṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma
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Explanation of the Na Vikṣipya Pādau Niṣatsyāma Sutta
Context
The Na Vikṣipya Pādau Niṣatsyāma Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, recorded in the Pāli Canon. This is a disciplinary regulation in the pātimokkha related to the conduct of bhikkhus when sitting and to bodily position. The Vinaya Piṭaka was established by the Buddha to protect the Sangha, maintain harmony, and guide disciples to study and practice according to ethics. The rules on sitting posture may seem minor, but they reflect a profound principle: a monastic must have mindfulness of the body and not allow the body to fall into a state of looseness or loss of control.
According to the historical context, this regulation was established after the Buddha witnessed bhikkhus sitting with a disrespectful attitude, with limbs hanging loosely or crookedly, leading to lack of concentration and loss of mindfulness. This affected the image of the Sangha and the spirit of study and practice.
Main Content
"Na vikṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma" means "one should not sit with the legs spread apart or dangling" (the word vikṣipya means "scattered, thrown out"; pādau means "feet"; niṣatsyāma means "we shall sit").
This rule guides bhikkhus to keep a proper sitting posture: the two legs should be placed neatly, often crossed (as in the meditation posture or sukhasana), rather than stretched out, spread apart unconsciously, or left dangling. This posture is regarded as an expression of inner discipline and respect for the environment of practice as well as for the Three Jewels.
In the context of a class, Dharma talk, or gathering of the Sangha, the way of sitting reflects the practitioner’s attitude of diligence. Those who sit in a disorderly posture are often associated with a person lacking concentration or insufficient respect. This rule also prevents actions that may be considered impolite or provocative, such as stretching the legs forward toward another person while sitting.
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