Lzh Mu Bi Vb Sk 65Licking the Hands
Pāli / Sanskrit:Hatthanillehaka
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THE HATTHANILLEHAKA SUTRA
(The Sutra on Licking the Hands)
Background
This sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the fundamental disciplinary canon of Theravāda Buddhism. Its content records an event that occurred in the monastic community around the time when the Buddha was still in the world, when rules of practice were being established to protect the physical and spiritual health of the fourfold community of disciples.
The story arose from a specific situation involving an improper action by a bhikkhu. This event caused the Buddha to establish a new training rule (sikkhāpada) to prevent actions that could cause harm or loss of dignity in the character of one gone forth. The Vinaya Piṭaka records such events so that we understand clearly that the precepts are not born of mystery, but from the practical needs of the community of practice.
Main Content
The specific content of this sutra has not yet been fully translated in standard translations. However, based on the title "Hatthanillehaka" (licking the hand), we can understand that the sutra concerns an action related to the tongue or mouth, specifically the act of licking one's own hand or another's hand, an action regarded as discourteous or inappropriate to the status of one gone forth.
In the context of Theravāda practice, the Vinaya Piṭaka regulates not only serious actions but also pays attention to details of daily behavior. Such small actions are viewed through the lens of "sila" (ethics/precepts) and "sīlasambodhi" (the perfection of conduct). A bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should maintain an image of purity, orderliness, and reverence, not only in great actions but also in the smallest details of daily life.
The sutra records how the Buddha and his elder teachers guided the disciples to be aware of these actions, thereby establishing rules that help protect the Dharma body of the Sangha.
Practical Meaning
This sutra teaches that practice of the Buddha-Dharma lies not only in the mind but is also expressed through every gesture and every action.
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