Lzh Dg Bu Pm Sk 80Not Chew Tooth-stick Around Stupa

Discourse on Not Chewing a Tooth-Stick Around a Stupa

Background

This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the normative ethical collection of the Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a philosophical doctrine, but a set of practical rules of life helping bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs practice in purity. These rules were gradually set forth by the Buddha according to specific situations that arose in the monastic community, always aiming to protect purity of mind, reverence, and harmony in the community.

The discourse “Not Chewing a Tooth-Stick Around a Stupa” is one of the minor rules with profound meaning. A stupa or chaitya in Buddhism is a structure venerating the bones of the Buddha or great noble beings, a sacred place worthy of the highest reverence. A tooth-stick (danta-kaṭṭha), or cleansing stick in ancient times, was a personal item used frequently.

Main Content

This rule forbids bhikkhus from chewing tooth-sticks in the area around a stupa. The action is discourteous and disrespectful toward the sacred place. When someone chews a tooth-stick, a coarse everyday act connected with personal hygiene, around a revered structure, it shows inattention to the spiritual value and respect that the stupa represents.

In the Theravāda tradition, this rule belongs to the group of Pātimokkha or sekhiya dhamma rules, the training rules concerning gestures, actions, and speech. They guide bhikkhus to maintain a proper appearance before other beings, protecting both reverence for the stupa and respect from the community.

If a bhikkhu violates it, this is considered a minor fault that needs to be confessed and corrected, not an offense serious enough to compel the bhikkhu to return to lay life. Nevertheless, the action may lead to criticism from the Sangha or require retraining.

Practical Meaning

This discourse teaches us that practice concerns not only the mind, but also the body and gestures.