Opening the mouth (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK41)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on mouthfuls

Opening the mouth

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 opened their mouths without bringing a mouthful to it. …

Final ruling

“‘I will not open my mouth without bringing a mouthful to it,’ this is how you should train.”

One should not open one’s mouth without bringing a mouthful to it.

If a monk, out of disrespect, opens his mouth without bringing a mouthful to it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

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;

if he is the first offender.

The first training rule is finished.