Chamā

Theravāda Vinaya

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

Mahāvibhaṅga

The Great Analysis

Sekhiyakaṇḍa

The chapter on training

Pādukavagga

The subchapter on shoes

68. Chamāsikkhāpada

Sitting on the ground

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 chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa dhammaṁ desenti …pe….

At that time the monks from the group of six were sitting on the ground giving teachings to people sitting on seats. …

Final ruling

“Na chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṁ desessāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

“‘I will not give a teaching while sitting on the ground to anyone sitting on a seat who is not sick,’ this is how you should train.”

Na chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammo desetabbo.

One should not give a teaching while sitting on the ground to anyone sitting on a seat who is not sick.

Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṁ deseti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If a monk, out of disrespect, gives a teaching while sitting on the ground to someone sitting on a seat 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.

Aṭṭhamasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

The eighth training rule is finished.