Xct Mu Bu Pm Sk 17No grimacing

Discourse on Not Grimacing: Instruction on the Purity of Mental Conduct

Context

The discourse “No Grimacing” is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the code of the traditional Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. This is the section on the conduct training of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, not a set of profound doctrinal teachings, but daily rules of life intended to preserve the spirit of practice and the ethics of the monastic community.

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, each rule arises from a specific event: when a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī committed a fault, the Buddha then established a rule to prevent it. Actions such as “grimacing,” an expression of discomfort, irritation, or dissatisfaction on the face, are regarded as having a negative effect on harmony within the community of practice. This rule reflects the attention of Theravāda Buddhism to cultivating both the mind and the outward actions that express it.

Main Content

The discourse prescribes that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not grimace, that is, they should not display discomfort, irritation, or displeasure on the face when facing unfavorable situations. This includes maintaining a calm and courteous expression that benefits virtuous conduct and makes a good impression on lay supporters.

Grimacing is regarded as a violation of the minor code because it reflects a mind not well governed. It indirectly affects one’s own dignity and influences the faith of those around one. When a monastic reveals dissatisfaction through the face, this shows that the mind is still governed by various conditions, especially vedanā, feeling, and remains absorbed in small desires.

This rule is especially important in everyday situations: when one receives insufficient food, when assigned unwelcome work, when criticized, or when facing difficulties in practice. The Buddha teaches that maintaining an undisturbed mental attitude is a sign of genuine practice.