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Theravāda Vinaya Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law
Mahāvibhaṅga The Great Analysis
Sekhiyakaṇḍa The chapter on training
Surusuruvagga The subchapter on slurping
52. Hatthanillehakasikkhāpada Licking the hand
Origin story
Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjanti …pe…. At that time the monks from the group of six were licking their hands while eating. …
Final ruling
“Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjissāmīti sikkhā karaṇīyā”ti. “‘I will not lick my hand while eating,’ this is how you should train.”
Na hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjitabbaṁ. One should not lick one’s hand while eating.
Yo anādariyaṁ paṭicca hatthanillehakaṁ bhuñjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If a monk, out of disrespect, licks his hand while eating, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Non-offenses
Anāpatti—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.
Dutiyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ. The second training rule is finished.