San Mg Bu Pm Sk 37Aṅgulinillehaka
Pāli / Sanskrit:Aṅgulinillehaka
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Aṅgulinillehaka Sutta: The Rule on Licking the Fingers
Background
Aṅgulinillehaka, meaning “one who licks the fingers,” is a disciplinary rule recorded in the Pāli Canon, in the Vinaya, or Basket of Discipline. These are the fundamental rules governing the conduct of bhikkhunis and bhikkhus within the Sangha community.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the disciplinary rules in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not unreasonable restrictions, but teachings with a clear purpose. They were established by the Buddha to protect the solemn dignity of the Sangha, cultivate collectedness of mind, and preserve public respect.
The background of this sutta arises from specific incidents that occurred during the Buddha’s lifetime. When nuns acted without dignity, this not only affected the image of the Sangha but also reflected a state of mind lacking right faith and not yet truly established in the practice of the Dharma.
Main Content
Aṅgulinillehaka concerns the act of nuns licking their fingers, an act which, though small, was regarded as undignified and unsuitable for the bearing of a Buddhist religious practitioner. This is one of the acts not to be done (pācittiya), or one to be steadfastly observed in the life of training.
Beyond its outward form, this act also reflects laxity of mind, a lack of mindfulness (sati), and a lack of alertness. Licking the fingers may be regarded as a form of deterioration in discipline, a careless act reminiscent of the habits of those who have not gone forth.
This rule teaches nuns that training in the Buddha’s Dharma requires guarding every action, every word, and every thought. Even small actions must be governed by right faith (sammādiṭṭhi) and right illumination (sammāsambuddho). This is the spirit of the Vinaya: discipline is not only about grave prohibitions, but also about the complete cultivation of the spiritual life.
Practical Meaning
In the context of modern practice, Aṅgulinillehaka has deep meaning, although the outward act may no longer be as common as in former times.
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