Lzh Mg Bi Vb Sk 41Poking Tongue
Pāli / Sanskrit:Jivhānicchāraka
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The Sutta on Poking Out the Tongue (Jivhānicchāraka)
Background
The Sutta on Poking Out the Tongue is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, within the section known as the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga—the regulations governing the conduct of bhikkhunis. This text belongs to the Theravāda tradition and reflects an early period of the Buddhist monastic community, when the Blessed One was still present in the world, instructing his female disciples in monastic discipline and ethics.
The term "Jivhānicchāraka" is formed from two Pāli words: jivhā (tongue) and nicchāraka (the act of poking out, of extending). This text concerns the action of poking the tongue out of the mouth—a behavior regarded as undignified and unbefitting the station of a bhikkhuni who practices according to the Buddha's Dhamma. The circumstances that gave rise to this text reflect the need to uphold discipline and decorum within the monastic community, so as to safeguard the welfare of the Sangha as well as the esteem of the lay community.
Principal Content
The specific content of this text has not yet been fully translated, but in accordance with the general context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, this text concerns the Blessed One's discovery and censure of an undignified act committed by bhikkhunis. The action of poking the tongue out is regarded as a manifestation of disrespect toward oneself and toward the monastic community of the Sangha.
In accordance with the rules set forth in the Vinaya Piṭaka, such behaviors are not merely matters of violation of robes or breach of precepts, but pertain to the comprehensive conduct of a monastic practitioner. The Blessed One established detailed rules for monastics governing proper standing, sitting, walking, and lying down, as well as restraint of the sense faculties and the body. Poking out the tongue—a small yet public gesture—is regarded as a violation of this spirit.
This text also reflects a clear principle found throughout the Vinaya Piṭaka: monastics must avoid actions that may give rise to misunderstanding, attract undue attention, or cause the lay people to lose faith. Those outside the Sangha observe monastics not only through what they say, but through every gesture and manner of daily behavior. Therefore, maintaining dignified and restrained conduct is an inseparable part of the practice of the monastic code.
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