Xct Mu Bi Pm Sk 27Arms Akimbo
Pāli / Sanskrit:Khambhakata
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
KHAMBHAKATA SUTTA (RESTING THE HANDS ON THE ARMS)
Background
The Khambhakata Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, which records the regulations concerning the Sangha and the ethics of bhikkhus. This text reflects the historical context in which the Buddha and his disciples practiced the path and at times encountered conduct not in keeping with the spirit of training. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a set of harsh and arbitrary rules, but a body of adjustments arising from specific events, intended to protect the purity of the Sangha.
The Khambhakata Sutta records an undignified bodily action: placing the two hands upon the arms in an arrogant or careless attitude. This bodily expression reflects the practitioner’s state of mind and is directly related to carefulness in conduct and moderation (samādhi).
Main Content
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Buddha-Dharma does not separate body, speech, and mind. Every bodily action is an expression of the mind. When a bhikkhu keeps his two hands in the khambhakata posture — with the arms bent and placed upon the shoulders or arms — this is not merely a physical posture but also a sign of an unfocused mind, a lack of respect, or a trace of conceit.
The Buddha-Dharma emphasizes that such actions, though seemingly minor, can weaken concentration and create a psychological environment unfavorable to communal practice. The deeper reason lies in Theravāda philosophy: every repeated action forms a habit (saṃskāra), thereby shaping character and influencing spiritual development.
This text does not judge the individual but guides the community: a bhikkhu should maintain dignified postures when standing, sitting, and walking, in accordance with the sacred nature of one who has gone forth. This includes both a sense of self-respect and respect for the teaching.
Practical Meaning
The profound meaning of this text lies in the principle that even the smallest action reflects the mind, and the mind is cultivated through action. In Theravāda practice, sīla (virtue) includes not only solemn vows but also everyday gestures.
🌏 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.