Vinaya Pitaka - Monastic Rules
Bhikkhu Vibhanga - Sekhiya 68: While sitting on the ground, not to teach the dhamma to someone sitting on a seat unless they are ill.
- Translated from the Pali by I.B. Horner.
… in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the group of six monks, having sat down on the ground, taught dhamma to (someone) sitting on a seat … " …
‘Having sat down on the ground, I will not teach dhamma to (someone) sitting on a seat (and) who is not ill,’ is a training to be observed."
Having sat down on the ground, dhamma should not be taught to (someone) sitting on a seat (and) who is not ill. Whoever out of disrespect, having sat down on the ground, teaches dhamma to (someone) sitting on a seat (and) who is not ill, there is an offence of wrong-doing.
1 tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū chamāyaṃ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa dhammaṃ desenti … pe … .
2 "na chamāyaṃ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṃ desessāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā"ti. (68:213)
3 na chamāyaṃ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammo desetabbo. yo anādariyaṃ paṭicca chamāyaṃ nisīditvā āsane nisinnassa agilānassa dhammaṃ deseti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.