釋氏要覽 1.463

1.463

The Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya calls it "tooth-wood" [dantakāṣṭha]. One chews one end until frayed, using it to scrape and brush food trapped between the teeth. ○ The Vinaya states: Chewing [a tooth-stick] has five benefits: first, the mouth is not bitter; second, the mouth does not smell foul; third, it expels wind; fourth, it expels heat; fifth, it eliminates phlegm. ○ It also lists five benefits: first, it expels wind; second, it expels heat; third, it gives flavor to the mouth; fourth, it digests food; fifth, it brightens the eyes. ○ The Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya states: If there is heat in the mouth and sores develop, one should chew a tooth-stick and swallow the juice. ○ The Ekottarakarma-śataka states: Chewing a tooth-stick must be done in a secluded place; it must not be done openly or in clean places where people come and go. When discarding the tooth-wood, one first washes it with water, then coughs or snaps the fingers to alert others, and only then may one discard it in a secluded place. If done otherwise, one commits an offense of transgression of the Dharma.