Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Khandhaka >> Chulavagga >> Fifth Khandhaka >> 5.31
Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
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CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR SECTION)
FIFTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE DAILY LIFE OF THE BHIKKHUS)
Chapter-31.
1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus did not use tooth-sticks, and their mouths got a bad odour.
They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.
'There are these five disadvantages, O Bhikkhus, in not using tooth-sticks--it is bad for the eyes--the mouth becomes bad-smelling--the passages by which the flavours of the food pass are not pure--bile and phlegm get into the food--and the food does not taste well to him (who does not use them). These are the five disadvantages, O Bhikkhus, in not using tooth-sticks.'
There are five advantages, O Bhikkhus, (&c., the converse of the last)
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, tooth-sticks.'
2. Now at that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus used long tooth-sticks; and even struck the Samaneras with them.
They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.
'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to use long tooth-sticks.
Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, tooth-sticks up to eight finger-breadths in length. And Samaneras are not to be struck with them. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'
Now at that time a certain Bhikkhu, when using too short a tooth-stick, got it stuck in his throat.
They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.
'You are not, O Bhikkhus, to use too short a tooth-stick. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, tooth-sticks four finger-breadths long at the least.'
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