Bu Sk 1616. Swaying the body

Dutiyakāyappacālaka Sutta — The Second Case of Swaying the Body

Background

This text is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (Analysis of the Rules for Bhikkhunīs), belonging to the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The title "Dutiyakāyappacālaka" means "The second case of swaying the body" — "dutiya" (second), "kāya" (body), "pacālaka" (swaying, rocking).

This text belongs to the context of the disciplinary regulations that the Buddha Śākyamuni established for bhikkhunīs (nuns). These regulations arose from specific incidents in which bhikkhunīs or monastics transgressed mindfulness and monastic discipline. The Vinaya is regarded as the ethical foundation of the Buddhist Sangha, guiding the path of pure living in thorough accordance with the footsteps of the Buddha.

Main Content

The specific content of this text has not been fully rendered in the provided material; however, based on the title "swaying the body," we may understand that this text concerns improper conduct — specifically, the manner in which a bhikkhunī uses or moves her body in a way that is incompatible with the virtue of monastic practice.

In the context of the Vinaya, "swaying the body" (kāyappacālaka) generally refers to actions such as swinging the arms, dancing, or other movements that are unseemly and improper — behaviors that may undermine the quality of discretion and mindfulness proper to one who has gone forth. This text likely records a specific instance in which a bhikkhunī engaged in such conduct, leading the Buddha to establish a rule in order to prevent it.

The designation "second" indicates that this is a repeated occurrence, perhaps involving a different bhikkhunī or a similar situation that the Buddha addressed again in order to clarify the principle.

Practical Significance

The deeper purpose of this rule is not to restrict freedom, but to protect the integrity of the Sangha and to preserve the noble spirit of monastic practice.