Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 35Licking the Hands

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE FIRST PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– CLARIFYING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

35. "One must train: One should not lick the hands while eating."

One should not turn the hand palm-up or palm-down to lick it while eating. If milk, oil, honey, or rock sugar adheres to the hands, one must use the hand to wipe it along the rim of the bowl to gather it in one place, and only then take it to eat.

If one indulges the faculties by licking the hands while eating, this constitutes disregard for the training rule. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"One must train: One should not lick the hands while eating."

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. At that time, a householder came to the monastery to offer a meal to the Sangha. While eating, the group of six bhikkhus sucked their fingers while eating, and were reproached by people of the world, who said:

—Why do disciples of the Sakyan ascetic behave like children, sucking their fingers while eating?

Then they asked:

—I have made an offering generously; why do you suck your fingers while eating? These are persons of corrupt behavior—what kind of spiritual conduct is this!

The bhikkhus then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, one must not suck one's fingers while eating.

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits, established the training rule for the bhikkhus; even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

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Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Verification of meaning: Thích Đỗng Minh