Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Sk 70Poking Tongue
Pāli / Sanskrit:Jivhānicchāraka
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The Tongue Protruding Scripture (Jivhānicchāraka)
Context
The Tongue Protruding Scripture (Pāli: Jivhānicchāraka) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Vinaya for bhikkhus. This is part of the individual training rules (sekhiya dhamma), detailed precepts intended to train the behavior of renunciants.
This scripture is developed in the context of the Blessed Buddha teaching the Sangha about inappropriate behavior in the monastery. The Buddha observed that some bhikkhus had undignified habits of body, speech, and mind, especially unconscious actions that could bring discredit upon the Sangha or cause discomfort to others. Sticking out the tongue was regarded as one of the signs of a lack of awareness and discipline in practice.
Main Content
In this scripture, the Blessed Buddha teaches that bhikkhus should not stick out the tongue frequently or unexpectedly. This action may seem trivial, but it contains deep meaning regarding individual training and self-control. According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, every movement of the body needs to be conscious and have a clear purpose.
Sticking out the tongue is regarded as an expression of lack of vigilance (appamāda), a lack of awareness regarding small actions. In Early Buddhism, even the smallest actions should not be ignored. Individual training rules are not grave prohibitions like the five basic precepts, but they are requirements of order, discipline, and respect for the Sangha and those around one.
Although brief, this scripture expresses the philosophy of the Vinaya Piṭaka: every action, however small, needs to be governed by wisdom and vigilance. This is how the Blessed Buddha educated bhikkhus to nurture generations of monastics with the highest faith and discipline.
Practical Meaning
The Tongue Protruding Scripture teaches us that practice is not only the great teachings of meditation or liberating wisdom.
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