Pattanillehaka

Theravāda Vinaya

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

Mahāvibhaṅga

The Great Analysis

Sekhiyakaṇḍa

The chapter on training

Surusuruvagga

The subchapter on slurping

53. Pattanillehakasikkhāpada

Licking the almsbowl

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 pattanillehakaṁ bhuñjanti …pe…

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

Final ruling

“Na pattanillehakaṁ bhuñjissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

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

Na pattanillehakaṁ bhuñjitabbaṁ.

One should not lick one’s bowl while eating.

Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca pattanillehakaṁ bhuñjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If a monk, out of disrespect, licks his bowl while eating, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

Anāpatti—

There is no offense:

asañcicca,

if it is unintentional;

assatiyā,

if he is not mindful;

ajānantassa,

if he does not know;

gilānassa,

if he is sick;

parittake sese ekato saṅkaḍḍhitvā nillehitvā bhuñjati,

if only a little food remains and he eats it after collecting it in one place and then licking it;

āpadāsu,

if there is an emergency;

ummattakassa,

if he is insane;

ādikammikassāti.

if he is the first offender.

Tatiyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

The third training rule is finished.