Bu Sk 19

19. Sīsappacālakasikkhāpada

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū sīsappacālakaṁ antaraghare gacchanti sīsaṁ olambentā …pe….

Swaying the head Origin story

At 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 swaying and tilting their heads while walking in inhabited areas. …

“Na sīsappacālakaṁ antaraghare gamissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

Final ruling

“‘I will not sway my head while walking in inhabited areas,’ this is how you should train.”

Na sīsappacālakaṁ antaraghare gantabbaṁ. Sīsaṁ paggahetvā gantabbaṁ. Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca sīsappacālakaṁ antaraghare gacchati sīsaṁ olambento, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

One should not sway one’s head while walking in an inhabited area; one should walk keeping one’s head straight. If a monk, out of disrespect, sways and tilts his head while walking in an inhabited area, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Anāpatti—

Non-offenses

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.