7. The training rule on lowered eyes

The chapter on training The subchapter on evenly all around

7. The training rule on lowered eyes

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 looking here and there while walking in inhabited areas. …

Final ruling

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

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

Non-offenses

There 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.

The seventh training rule is finished.

Sekhiyakaṇḍa Parimaṇḍalavagga

7. Okkhittacakkhusikkhāpada

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū tahaṁ tahaṁ olokentā antaraghare gacchanti …pe….

“Okkhittacakkhu antaraghare gamissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

Okkhittacakkhunā antaraghare gantabbaṁ yugamattaṁ pekkhantena. Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca tahaṁ tahaṁ olokento antaraghare gacchati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Anāpatti— asañcicca, assatiyā, ajānantassa, gilānassa, āpadāsu, ummattakassa, ādikammikassāti.

Sattamasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.