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Theravāda Vinaya Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law
Mahāvibhaṅga The Great Analysis
Sekhiyakaṇḍa The chapter on training
Pādukavagga The subchapter on shoes
68. Chamāsikkhāpada Sitting on the ground
Origin story
Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa dhammaṁ desenti …pe…. At that time the monks from the group of six were sitting on the ground giving teachings to people sitting on seats. …
Final ruling
“Na chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṁ desessāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti. “‘I will not give a teaching while sitting on the ground to anyone sitting on a seat who is not sick,’ this is how you should train.”
Na chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammo desetabbo. One should not give a teaching while sitting on the ground to anyone sitting on a seat who is not sick.
Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca chamāyaṁ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṁ deseti, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If a monk, out of disrespect, gives a teaching while sitting on the ground to someone sitting on a seat who is not sick, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Non-offenses
Anāpatti—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.
Aṭṭhamasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ. The eighth training rule is finished.