<p>There are a couple of points <a href="https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-kd15/en/horner-brahmali" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> about how to be polite if the Buddha sneezes or a monk sneezes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Now at that time the Lord, surrounded by a large assembly, sneezed while he was teaching <em>dhamma</em>. Monks, saying: “Lord, may the Lord live (long), may the wellfarer live (long),” made a loud noise, a great noise; the talk on <em>dhamma</em> was interrupted by this noise. Then the Lord addressed the monks, saying: “Now, monks, when (the phrase) ‘Long life’ is spoken to one who has sneezed, can he for this reason live or die?”</p>
<p>“That is not so, Lord.”</p>
<p><strong>“Monks, ‘Long life’ should not be said to one who has sneezed. Whoever should say it, there is an offence of wrong-doing.”</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<hr />
<blockquote>
<p>Now at that time people said “May you live (long), honoured sirs” to monks who had sneezed. The monks, being scrupulous, did not respond. People … spread it about, saying: “How can these recluses, sons of the Sakyans not respond when (the phrase) ‘May you live (long), honoured sirs’ is being spoken to them?” They told this matter to the Lord. He said: “Monks, householders like lucky signs. <strong>I allow you, monks, when (the phrase) ‘May you live (long), honoured sirs’ is being spoken to you by householders to say, ‘Long life’ (to them).”</strong></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-21T13:58:25.800Z
That's very interesting! Well, if the Buddha himself sneezes then it's clear it is something not to be worried about.
QuantumBrick
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-21T14:31:09.303Z
I think it's generally also considered polite, at least these days, not to sneeze on or at people. It's not even difficult, even young children are taught so. But I think that's a secular/cultural matter.
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-21T09:30:31.540Z
2018-07-21T09:30:31.540Z
2020-06-17T09:56:10.877Z
ChrisW
<p>Sneezing and coughing are voluntary reactions provoked by viruses in order to propagate and reach as many hosts as possible. If a person has a high sense of control of his or her own reactions, they can perfectly control both impulses. </p>

<p>Are monks encouraged to observe the rising and passing of the impulse to sneeze or cough, but not give in? Strictly speaking both are propagating disease and generate bad kamma, since you're infecting other people. </p>

<karma><monasticism><control>
Do monks sneeze and cough?
# Do monks sneeze and cough?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-07-20)

Sneezing and coughing are voluntary reactions provoked by viruses in order to propagate and reach as many hosts as possible. If a person has a high sense of control of his or her own reactions, they can perfectly control both impulses.

Are monks encouraged to observe the rising and passing of the impulse to sneeze or cough, but not give in? Strictly speaking both are propagating disease and generate bad kamma, since you're infecting other people.

**Tags:** karma, monasticism, control


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-07-21. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

There are a couple of points [here](https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-kd15/en/horner-brahmali) about how to be polite if the Buddha sneezes or a monk sneezes:

> Now at that time the Lord, surrounded by a large assembly, sneezed while he was teaching *dhamma*. Monks, saying: “Lord, may the Lord live (long), may the wellfarer live (long),” made a loud noise, a great noise; the talk on *dhamma* was interrupted by this noise. Then the Lord addressed the monks, saying: “Now, monks, when (the phrase) ‘Long life’ is spoken to one who has sneezed, can he for this reason live or die?”
>
> “That is not so, Lord.”
>
> **“Monks, ‘Long life’ should not be said to one who has sneezed. Whoever should say it, there is an offence of wrong-doing.”**

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> Now at that time people said “May you live (long), honoured sirs” to monks who had sneezed. The monks, being scrupulous, did not respond. People … spread it about, saying: “How can these recluses, sons of the Sakyans not respond when (the phrase) ‘May you live (long), honoured sirs’ is being spoken to them?” They told this matter to the Lord. He said: “Monks, householders like lucky signs. **I allow you, monks, when (the phrase) ‘May you live (long), honoured sirs’ is being spoken to you by householders to say, ‘Long life’ (to them).”**

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That's very interesting! Well, if the Buddha himself sneezes then it's clear it is something not to be worried about.  
> **username_1**: I think it's generally also considered polite, at least these days, not to sneeze on or at people. It's not even difficult, even young children are taught so. But I think that's a secular/cultural matter.  

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