Bu Sk 52

52. Hatthanillehakasikkhāpada

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjanti …pe….

Licking the hand Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the monks from the group of six were licking their hands while eating. …

“Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti.

Final ruling

“‘I will not lick my hand while eating,’ this is how you should train.”

Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjitabbaṁ. Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

One should not lick one’s hand while eating. If a monk, out of disrespect, licks his hand while eating, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Anāpatti—

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

asañcicca …pe…

if it is unintentional; if he is not mindful; if he does not know; if he is sick; if there is an emergency; if he is insane;

ādikammikassāti.

if he is the first offender.