Putting whole hand in mouth (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK42)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on mouthfuls

Putting whole hand in 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 put their whole hand in their mouths while eating. …

Final ruling

“‘I will not put my whole hand in my mouth while eating,’ this is how you should train.”¹

One should not put one’s whole hand in one’s mouth while eating.

If a monk, out of disrespect, puts his whole hand in his mouth while eating, 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 second training rule is finished.