Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on mouthfuls

49. The training rule on sticking out the tongue

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 ate sticking out their tongues. …

Final ruling

“‘I will not eat sticking out my tongue,’ this is how you should train.”

One should not eat sticking out one’s tongue.

If a monk, out of disrespect, eats sticking out his tongue, 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 ninth training rule is finished.