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Vinaya Piṭaka - Monastic Rules

Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga - Sekhiya 8: To keep the eyes lowered when going to inhabited areas.

Origin story

1At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the monks from the group of six were looking here and there while sitting in inhabited areas. …

Final ruling

2“‘I will lower my eyes while sitting in inhabited areas,’ this is how you should train.”

3One should lower one’s eyes while sitting in an inhabited area, looking a plow’s length ahead. If a monk, out of disrespect, looks here and there while sitting in an inhabited area, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

4There is no offense: 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; if he is the first offender.

5The eighth training rule is finished.

 

1p_2V_1720, msdiv583Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū tahaṁ tahaṁ olokentā antaraghare nisīdanti … pe … .

 

2p_2V_1721"Okkhittacakkhu antaraghare nisīdissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā"ti. (8:153)

3p_2V_1722Okkhittacakkhunā antaraghare nisīditabbaṁ yugamattaṁ pekkhantena. Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca tahaṁ tahaṁ olokento antaraghare nisīdati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

 

4p_2V_1723Anāpatti— asañcicca, assatiyā, ajānantassa, gilānassa, āpadāsu, ummattakassa, ādikammikassāti.

5p_2V_1724Aṭṭhamasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.