Hatthanillehaka

Theravāda Vinaya

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

Mahāvibhaṅga

The Great Analysis

Sekhiyakaṇḍa

The chapter on training

Surusuruvagga

The subchapter on slurping

52. Hatthanillehakasikkhāpada

Licking the hand

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 hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjanti …pe….

At that time the monks from the group of six were licking their hands while eating. …

Final ruling

“Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

“‘I will not lick my hand while eating,’ this is how you should train.”

Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjitabbaṁ.

One should not lick one’s hand while eating.

Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If a monk, out of disrespect, licks his hand while eating, 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.

Dutiyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

The second training rule is finished.