Xct Mu Bi Pm Sk 67Shaking the Hand
Pāli / Sanskrit:Hatthaniddhunaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta (Shaking the Hand Sutta)
Background
The Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, especially the training rules of the Buddhist Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of formal regulations, but a set of detailed instructions intended to help bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs cultivate self-discipline, build a harmonious community, and develop the mind directed toward the path.
This sutta is recorded in the early sections of the Theravāda tradition, reflecting specific situations that arose in the course of the monks’ practice. These rules were not established arbitrarily; rather, the Buddha laid them down based on actual events, in order to protect the practice of his disciples and maintain the honor of the Sangha.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya tradition, “Shaking the Hand” (Hatthaniddhunaka) concerns regulations regarding bodily behavior in interactions among bhikkhus, or between bhikkhus and outsiders. Specifically, this sutta refers to shaking the hand, an action that at first may be considered an expression of intimacy or one not in keeping with the dignity of one gone forth.
The Buddha established detailed rules on how to eliminate or control certain bodily actions. These rules did not arise by themselves, but were often developed after some bhikkhus had violated proper conduct or caused misunderstandings within the community or between the community and outsiders.
The content of this sutta emphasizes that members of the Sangha must maintain complete mindfulness in bodily action. Dignity is not expressed only through robes or a simple living environment, but must also be shown in every gesture and every step. This is intended to build trust among outsiders and ensure that the life of practice is not misrepresented by conduct that contradicts the ideal of renunciation.
Practical Meaning
The Hatthaniddhunaka Sutta teaches us that self-discipline is never merely outward. Every part of the body is a sign that transmits a message about our 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.