Lzh Mg Bi Vb Sk 47Aṅgulinillehaka
Pāli / Sanskrit:Aṅgulinillehaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Commentary on the Aṅgulinillehaka Sutta
Background
The Aṅgulinillehaka Sutta is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhuṇī Vibhaṅga — the rules of training set forth for bhikkhuṇīs, the fully ordained nuns. It is one of the most significant regulatory texts of Theravāda Buddhism, preserved in the sacred Pāli language.
The context in which this text was composed relates to events that took place at Sāvatthī, where the Buddha and the Saṅgha were residing. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled in order to help practitioners — and bhikkhuṇīs in particular — clearly understand the standards of conduct and the norms of action appropriate to the path of training set forth in the Dhamma. Each rule was not recorded out of harsh prohibitionism, but because it safeguards the purity of mind, protects the reputation of the Saṅgha, and guides practitioners toward Nirvana.
The Aṅgulinillehaka Sutta specifically addresses an ethical matter concerning conduct incompatible with the life of training, requiring mindfulness and self-restraint in interpersonal interactions.
Principal Content
The title "Aṅgulinillehaka" means "one who licks fingers" or "conduct pertaining to the finger," alluding to a physical act of impropriety or disrespect among members of the Saṅgha. Within the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this text records a particular case in which a bhikkhuṇī engaged in conduct inconsistent with the rules of training.
The content of the text revolves around the fundamental principles of respect, personal discipline, and the maintenance of proper boundaries in religious community life. The act described — though it may appear trivial — carries profound significance with respect to impropriety or the loss of self-mastery.
The Buddha established these principles so that such conduct would not be permitted, for it undermines purity of mind (cittakammavihāraṁ), harms the harmonious relationships among members of the training community, and creates an opening through which sensual desires (kāma) may intrude upon a place that is meant to provide spiritual protection.
🌏 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.