Bi Sk 4949. Sticking out the tongue
Pāli / Sanskrit:Jivhānicchāraka
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Jivhānicchāraka Sutta: The Story of Sticking Out the Tongue
Background
Within the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, the rules governing the practice of monastics concern not only outward actions but even the smallest expressions of the body. The Jivhānicchāraka Sutta (The Story of Sticking Out the Tongue), belonging to the Bhikkhunī Saṃgīti or the rules set forth specifically for female monastics, records a minor incident that nonetheless carries deep significance regarding self-restraint.
The background of this sutta originates from the unmindful actions of certain bhikkhunīs in the region of Vesālī. Such events were noted by the Blessed One and subsequently taught upon in order to maintain discipline within the community. The recording of such small details in the Vinaya Piṭaka reflects the philosophy of Theravāda practice: every action carries consequence, every gesture expresses the state of the mind.
Main Content
This sutta records the behavior of certain bhikkhunīs who were fond of sticking out their tongues, or of performing provocative actions involving that part of the body, either to attract attention or merely to display a certain appearance. For those engaged in practice at a high level, this was regarded as negligence, a lack of mindfulness (sati), and one capable of producing unwholesome impressions in relation to monks or laypeople.
The Blessed One, upon learning of the matter, set forth a training rule (sikkhāpada) prohibiting bhikkhunīs from performing this action. This rule was intended not only to protect the personal honor of the individual but also to preserve moral virtue (sīla) in its entirety. In the Theravāda tradition, the cultivation of honorable conduct, proper way of life, and self-mastery are elements inseparable from the path leading to nirvana.
Practical Significance
At first glance, the Jivhānicchāraka Sutta may appear to be a minor rule, nearly trivial. Yet its deeper significance lies in the concept of complete mindfulness (sampajañña).
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