Xct Mu Bi Sk 38Na saṁkṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na saṁkṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma
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Exposition of Xct Mu Bi Sk 38: Na saṁkṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma
Background
This scripture appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the detailed discipline concerning the gestures and actions of bhikkhus in the Sangha. The title “Na saṁkṣipya pādau niṣatsyāma” means “We should not sit with the two feet drawn up,” a regulation concerning proper sitting posture in the life customs of a practitioner.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was taught by the Buddha to maintain discipline, purity, and unity in the Sangha. These regulations are not arbitrary restraints, but guidelines that help bhikkhus practice according to the Path, gradually training the mind and eliminating unwholesome habits connected with the body. Every detail of standing, walking, sitting, and lying down has deep significance in the cultivation of the mind and mindful action.
Main Content
The rule “one should not sit with the two feet drawn up” is one of the practices in the Pātimokkha, the special code for bhikkhus. Sitting with the two feet drawn up (or folded under oneself) may be regarded as lacking dignity or appearing overly relaxed, unsuited to the image of a bhikkhu engaged in practice.
According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, proper sitting means sitting with the legs folded or extended straight in front, creating a stable and pure posture. This posture also helps the practitioner remain still and focus on meditation without being distracted by restless or undignified movements. Furthermore, it expresses respect for the place of practice, for the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), and for oneself as one who has gone forth in pursuit of liberation.
This rule also reflects a general principle in the Vinaya: every gesture of a bhikkhu must show collectedness, mindfulness, and freedom from negligence or heedlessness. The body is an instrument of practice, and the way we use it affects the state of the mind.
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