Pallatthika

Theravāda Vinaya

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

Mahāvibhaṅga

The Great Analysis

Sekhiyakaṇḍa

The chapter on training

Khambhakatavagga

The subchapter on hands on hips

26. Pallatthikasikkhāpada

Clasping the knees

Origin story

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū pallatthikāya antaraghare nisīdanti …pe….

At that time the monks from the group of six were clasping their knees while sitting in inhabited areas. …

Final ruling

“Na pallatthikāya antaraghare nisīdissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

“‘I will not clasp my knees while sitting in inhabited areas,’ this is how you should train.”

Na pallatthikāya antaraghare nisīditabbaṁ.

One should not clasp one’s knees while sitting in an inhabited area.

Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca hatthapallatthikāya vā dussapallatthikāya vā antaraghare nisīdati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If a monk, out of disrespect, clasps his knees with his hands or with a cloth while sitting in an inhabited area, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

Anāpatti—

There is no offense:

asañcicca,

if it is unintentional;

assatiyā,

if he is not mindful;

ajānantassa,

if he does not know;

gilānassa,

if he is sick;

vāsūpagatassa,

if he has entered his dwelling;

āpadāsu,

if there is an emergency;

ummattakassa,

if he is insane;

ādikammikassāti.

if he is the first offender.

Chaṭṭhasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

The sixth training rule is finished.