- Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
- The Great Analysis Mahāvibhaṅga
- The chapter on training Sekhiyakaṇḍa
- The subchapter on slurping Surusuruvagga
52. The training rule on licking the hands 52. Hatthanillehakasikkhāpada
Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At that time the monks from the group of six were licking their hands while eating. … Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjanti …pe….
Final ruling
“‘I will not lick my hands while eating,’ this is how you should train.” “Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.
One should not lick one’s hands while eating. Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjitabbaṁ. If a monk, out of disrespect, licks his hands while eating, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
Non-offenses
There is no offense: Anāpatti—if it is unintentional; asañcicca …pe… if he is not mindful; if he does not know; if he is sick; if there is an emergency; if he is insane; if he is the first offender. ādikammikassāti.
The second training rule is finished. Dutiyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.