Pallatthika

Theravāda Vinaya

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

Mahāvibhaṅga

The Great Analysis

Sekhiyakaṇḍa

The chapter on training

Pādukavagga

The subchapter on shoes

65. 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 nisinnassa dhammaṁ desenti …pe….

At that time the monks from the group of six gave teachings to people who were seated clasping their knees. …

Final ruling

“Na pallatthikāya nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṁ desessāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

“‘I will not give a teaching to anyone who is seated clasping their knees and who is not sick,’ this is how you should train.”

Na pallatthikāya nisinnassa agilānassa dhammo desetabbo.

One should not give a teaching to anyone who is seated clasping their knees and who is not sick.

Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca hatthapallatthikāya vā dussapallatthikāya vā nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṁ deseti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If a monk, out of disrespect, gives a teaching to someone who is clasping their knees with their hands or with a cloth and who is not sick, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

Anāpatti—

There is no offense:

asañcicca …pe…

if it is unintentional;

if he is not mindful;

if he does not know;

if he is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if he is insane;

ādikammikassāti.

if he is the first offender.

Pañcamasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

The fifth training rule is finished.