San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Sk 21Lowered Eyes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Okkhittacakkhu
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SUTRA ON LOWERED EYES
Okkhittacakkhu - The Way of Life of One Who Truly Studies the Dharma
Background
Okkhittacakkhu, or "Lowered Eyes," is a guide to practice from the Vinaya Pitaka in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This sutra is recorded among the disciplinary rules of the Sangha, intended to guide bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in cultivating discipline, especially in the restraint of the faculties (indriya).
In the time of the Buddha, during Dharma teachings, he often emphasized that Buddhist practice is not only the cultivation of the mind but must also include the training of actions and the body. This is clearly shown through the regulations concerning guarding the faculties, in which the "eye" (cakkhu) is regarded as the first gateway of contact with the external world. The Okkhittacakkhu Sutra concerns lowering the gaze, an expression of mindfulness, humility, and carefulness in conduct.
Main Content
This sutra teaches that a true Buddhist practitioner must have "lowered eyes" (okkhittacakkhu), that is, one does not let the eyes wander restlessly everywhere without purpose. This is not merely a simple verbal command but a symbol of restraint of the faculties, indriya, the ability to control the sense faculties (indriya) such as eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
According to the Vinaya Pitaka, when practitioners lower their gaze, they keep away from sights that stimulate sensual desire, jealousy, or delusion. This leads to the quieting of the mind. Not directing the eyes toward unnecessary forms (rūpa) is a way to protect the mind from unwholesome stimuli. Okkhittacakkhu therefore becomes a positive cultivated formation (saṅkhāra), expressing heedfulness (appamāda).
Lowering the eyes is also related to humility (khanti) and respect (adariya). A person whose eyes wander restlessly, curious about matters that do not concern them, easily falls into confusion, interferes in the affairs of others, and commits disciplinary faults. Conversely, one whose eyes are "lowered" focuses on their own path of practice and avoids unnecessary confrontations and disputes.
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