Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 79Not Chew Tooth-stick Towards Stupa
Pāli / Sanskrit:Not chew tooth-stick towards stupa
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Commentary on the Text “One Should Not Chew a Tooth-stick Toward a Stupa”
Background
This text is recorded in the Vinaya section of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Bhikkhu-vibhaṅga, the section explaining in detail the rules of practice for bhikkhus. It is a text of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, focusing on subtle regulations concerning proper conduct for practitioners.
The context of the text records that the Buddha taught his disciples how to behave when using implements for personal hygiene, especially the tooth-stick (danta-kāṭha). These are not unreasonably strict requirements, but expressions of the mind of the true Dharma, the presence of wakefulness and reverence in every daily action.
The stupa (cetiya) in Theravāda Buddhism symbolizes a sacred site, a place where the Buddhadharma, relics, or sacred symbols are honored. Therefore, the act of “facing toward a stupa” carries the meaning of reverence and solemnity.
Main Content
The text teaches that a bhikkhu should not chew a tooth-stick (danta-kāṭha-pamada) while directing the body or thought toward a stupa. This act is considered lacking in reverence toward the sacred symbols of the Buddhadharma. Chewing a tooth-stick is a fairly ordinary activity, but if it is done facing objects of worship, it reveals a lack of mindfulness and respect.
This reflects a basic principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka: even actions that seem small must be performed with full mindfulness. Such rules are not meant to restrict freedom, but to train the mind, making it sensitive, pure, and awake in every moment.
According to the Theravāda tradition, Vinaya rules are regarded as foundations for developing morality (sīla), an indispensable basis of the path of practice leading to nirvana. Each time a bhikkhu acts in accordance with the rule, he not only preserves monastic conduct but also nurtures awareness of the true Dharma.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.