Bu Sk 77. Not lowering the eyes
Pāli / Sanskrit:Okkhittacakkhu
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Sutta on Not Lowering the Eyes (Okkhittacakkhu)
Context
The sutta "Not Lowering the Eyes" belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Bhikkhunī Saṃgīti (the collection of rules for nuns). In the original Vinaya, the training rules are not rigid, meaningless commands, but humane guidelines intended to protect the purity of the Sangha, cultivate self-discipline, and create conditions conducive to the development of meditation.
The rule of "not lowering the eyes" (okkhittacakkhu) was established in the context of nuns needing to maintain mindfulness, to practice continuous observation (samādhi), and to avoid actions that might lead to dullness or sorrow. This is not an expression of low self-esteem or fear, but a manifestation of a mind that is lively, clear, and possessed of sense restraint.
Main Content
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, lowering the eyes (or having "downcast/sorrowful eyes") is regarded as a sign of an unwholesome state of mind in one's training. When a nun habitually casts her eyes downward, this can at times reflect mental states such as: melancholy, weariness, a lack of enthusiasm for the Dhamma, or even an expression of inattentiveness in meditation.
By contrast, one who trains in the Buddha-Dhamma should maintain a calm, composed gaze, directed forward or upward (symbolizing the orientation of the mind toward Enlightenment). Bright, steady eyes — neither withdrawn nor darkened — are the mark of one whose mind is firmly settled in samādhi, unshaken by mind-made disturbances.
This relates directly to the five spiritual faculties fundamental to Buddhist practice: faith (saddhā), energy (viriya), mindfulness (sati), concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā). Eyes that are not cast down express the balance between vigorous energy and serene stillness. It is also a means by which practitioners avoid being drawn away by alluring sense objects and keep the mind steadfastly oriented toward the goal of liberation.
Practical Significance
This rule teaches us that the restraint of the sense faculties is not irrational asceticism, but a wholesome practice.
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