Sekhiya Dhamma

Sekhiya Dhamma
Rules Regarding Matters of Discipline

The Sekhiya Dhamma is the seventh part of the Suttavibhanga.
The Suttavibhanga is the first part of the Vinaya Pitaka ("Basket of Discipline").
The Vinaya Pitaka is the first part of the Tipitaka ("Three Baskets"), a.k.a. the Pali Canon.
The Tipitaka is the major religious text of Theravada Buddhism.

« Previous | Contents | Next »

The Sekhiya Dhamma is a collection of guidelines to follow for proper etiquette. Many of them involve the ways of accepting and eating the food given to the Sangha (Buddhist monastic order) by laypeople. The phrase "go amidst the houses" probably refers to the daily walk through the village to gather alms, when the bhikkhus (monks) would also eat. Towards the end of the section, the rules deal with who not to preach to, in keeping with the society and forms of respect at the time of writing. Finally, a few in the middle (such as "Paying attention to my bowl will I receive an alms") encourage constant mindfulness.

The text was translated by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg in 1881; the translation is in the public domain. It was taken from http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/sbe13/index.htm. Text in [square brackets] (and all pipelinks) was added and does not appear in the translation; text in (parentheses) does appear in the translation.

Here, venerable Sirs, the rules regarding matters connected with discipline come into recitation.

1. 'I will put on my under garment all around me [i.e.: to cover the navel and knee].' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
2. 'I will put on my robe all around me.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
3. 'Properly clad will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
4. 'Properly clad will I take my seat amidst the bouses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
5. '(With my body) under proper control [i.e.: clean] will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
6. '(With my body) under proper control will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
7. 'With downcast eye will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
8. 'With downcast eye will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
9. 'With robes not pulled up [or "thrown off"] will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
10. 'With robes not pulled up will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the first section.
11. 'Not with loud laughter will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
12. 'Not with loud laughter will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
13. 'Making but a little sound will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
14. 'Making but a little sound will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
15. 'Without swaying my body about will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
16. 'Without swaying my body about will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
17. 'Without swaying my arms about will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
18. 'Without swaying my arms about will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
19. 'Without swaying my head about will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
20. 'Without swaying my head about will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the second section.
21. 'With my arms not akimbo [i.e.: hands on the hips] will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
22. 'With my arms not akimbo will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
23. 'With my head uncovered will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
24. 'With my head uncovered will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
25. 'Without walking on my heels or my toes will I go amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
26. 'Without lolling will I take my seat amidst the houses.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
27. 'With mind alert will I receive an alms.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
28. 'Paying attention to my bowl will I receive an alms.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
29. 'With equal curry [i.e.: one-fourth the quantity of rice] will I receive an alms.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
30. 'Equally full will I receive an alms.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the third section.
31. 'With mind alert will I eat the alms placed in my bowl.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
32. 'Paying attention to my bowl will I eat the alms placed in my bowl.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
33. 'Begging straight on from house to house will I eat the alms placed in my bowl.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
34. 'With equal curry will I eat the alms placed in my bowl.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
35. 'Without pressing down from the top [i.e.: not giving regard to which type of food one is eating] will I eat the alms placed in my bowl.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
36. 'Neither the curry nor the condiment will I cover up with the rice, desiring to make it nicer.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
37. 'Neither curry nor rice will I ask for, for my own particular use, unless I am sick.' This is discipline which ought to be observed.
38. 'Not with envious thoughts will I look at others' bowls.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
39. 'Not into too large balls will I make (up my food).' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
40. 'Into round mouthfuls will I make up my food.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the fourth section.
41. 'Not till the ball is brought close will I open the door of my mouth.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
42. 'Not the whole hand, when eating, will I put into my mouth.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
43. 'When the food is in my mouth will I not talk.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
44. 'Without tossing the food into my mouth will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
45. 'Without nibbling at the balls of food will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
46. 'Without stuffing my cheeks out will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
47. 'Without shaking my hands about will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
48. 'Without scattering the lumps of boiled rice will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
49. 'Without putting out my tongue will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
50. 'Without smacking my lips will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the fifth section.
51. 'Without making a hissing sound will I eat,' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
52. 'Without licking my fingers will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
53. 'Without licking my bowl will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
54. 'Without licking my lips will I eat.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed,
55. 'Not with a hand soiled with food will I take hold of the water-jar.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
56. 'The rinsings of the bowl mixed with lumps of boiled rice will I not throw into the inner court.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
57. 'Not to a person with a sunshade in his hand, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
58. 'Not to a person with a staff in his hand, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
59. 'Not to a person with a sword in his hand, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
60. 'Not to a person with a weapon in his hand, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the sixth section.
61. 'Not to a person wearing slippers, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
62. 'Not to a person wearing sandals, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
63. 'Not to a person seated in a cart, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
64. 'Not to a person lying on a couch, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
65. 'Not to a person lolling, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
66. 'Not to a person with a turban on his head, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
67. 'Not to a person with his head covered, unless he is sick, will I preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
68. 'Not to a person seated on a seat, unless he is sick, will I, seated on the earth, preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
69. 'Not to a person seated on a high seat, unless he is sick, will I, seated on a low seat, preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
70. 'Not to a person sitting, unless he is sick, will I, standing, preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
    End of the seventh section.
71. 'Not to a person walking in front of me, unless he is sick, will I, walking behind, preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
72. 'Not to a person walking on a path, unless he is sick, will I, walking by the side of the path, preach the Dhamma.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
73. 'Not standing will I ease myself, unless I am sick.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
74. 'Not on growing grass will I ease myself, or spit.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.
75. 'Not into water will I ease myself, or spit.' This is a discipline which ought to be observed.

Venerable Sirs, the rules regarding matters of discipline have been recited.

In respect of them I ask the venerable ones, 'Are you pure in this matter?'

A second time I ask the venerable ones, 'Are you pure in this matter?'

A third time I ask the venerable ones, 'Are you pure in this matter?'

The venerable ones are pure herein. Therefore do they keep silence. Thus I understand.

Here endeth the recitation of the Sekhiyas.