釋門歸敬儀 2.25

2.25

Eighth, explaining placing the right knee on the ground. In the sūtras, "kneeling on both knees," "alternating kneeling," and "kneeling upright" are often explained; these are all Indian rites of respect, marks of bending the knees to support oneself on the ground. Just as the sūtras explain that secular people mostly follow the left-hand path and all their actions incline to the left, the Buddha therefore pressed the ground with his right hand to subdue the heavenly Māra, and instructed all disciples to place the right knee on the ground. As for what is called "alternating kneeling," this means alternating the left and right knees in kneeling on the ground; this is the rite for making requests, repenting transgressions, and conferring and receiving. The Buddha-Dharma accords with the right: one supports oneself on the ground with the right knee, the right heel is suspended in the air, and the right toes support oneself on the ground; moreover, the left knee is raised upward and the left toes support oneself on the ground, so that the three places are lifted up and the body bends forward. Thus the mind attains single-minded resolve, and requests and repentance reach their utmost; this means the mind follows the body, and arrogant behavior is discarded.