- Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
- The Great Analysis Mahāvibhaṅga
- The chapter on training Sekhiyakaṇḍa
- The subchapter on laughing loudly Ujjagghikavagga
17. The training rule on swinging the arms 17. Bāhuppacālakasikkhāpada
Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At that time the monks from the group of six were swinging and dangling their arms while walking in inhabited areas. … Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bāhuppacālakaṁ antaraghare gacchanti bāhuṁ olambentā …pe….
Final ruling
“‘I will not swing my arms while walking in inhabited areas,’ this is how you should train.” “Na bāhuppacālakaṁ antaraghare gamissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.
One should not swing one’s arms while walking in an inhabited area; Na bāhuppacālakaṁ antaraghare gantabbaṁ. one should walk keeping one’s arms steady. Bāhuṁ paggahetvā gantabbaṁ. If a monk, out of disrespect, swings and dangles his arms while walking in an inhabited area, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca bāhuppacālakaṁ antaraghare gacchati bāhuṁ olambento, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
Non-offenses
There is no offense: Anāpatti—if it is unintentional; asañcicca …pe… 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. ādikammikassāti.
The seventh training rule is finished. Sattamasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.