Bi Sk 4747. Shaking the hand

HATTHANIDDHUNAKA - SHAKING THE HAND

Background

The Sutta on Shaking the Hand (Hatthaniddhunaka) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga — the rules of conduct for female monastics. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka (Vinaya Piṭaka) records the actions, words, and regulations established by the Buddha in order to protect the monastic community from inappropriate conduct, particularly with regard to discipline and purity of character.

This text addresses a specific action — shaking the hand — a gesture that, in the context of early Buddhism, may be understood as an outward sign or covert form of communication between monastics, potentially carrying meaning incompatible with genuine renunciation.

Main Content

According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, the Hatthaniddhunaka deals with the matter of a specific bodily action. The act of shaking the hand (hattha niddhunaka — literally "shaking the hand") is regarded as an improper gesture within the monastic context, particularly for female monastics. This is not an ordinary harmless action, but rather a gesture that may harbour intentions not conducive to detachment, or may be used as a means of improper communication between monks and nuns, or between monastics and laypeople.

Within the context of the Vinaya, such actions are prohibited because they have the potential to disturb meditative composure, to weaken the virtue of restraint, or to bring the reputation of the Saṅgha into disrepute. This reflects a fundamental principle of the Pāli Vinaya: monastics must avoid actions, speech, or intentions that may give rise to suspicion, undermine the trust of the public, or obstruct the path of practice.

Practical Significance

The Sutta on Shaking the Hand teaches us a profound lesson concerning bodily discipline (kāya-saṃvara). In early Buddhist practice, not only speech and thought require restraint, but even the smallest of gestures must be carefully considered.