四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.106

3.106

The fifty-third precept on tickling a bhikṣu. Although the matter is light, the fault can easily become extremely grave. It is something people are especially fond of doing and should properly be prohibited, which is why it was instituted. The specific conditions are five: 1. It is a bhikṣu; 2. Having the intention to perturb; 3. The ten fingers of hands or feet; 4. Absence of a cause—for if touching someone asleep to awaken him, or touching by mistake when coming and going, there is no offense; 5. Touching immediately constitutes the offense. This precept was instituted because one among the group of six tickled one among the group of seventeen, even causing him to lose his life. Bhikṣus pointed out the fault, and the Buddha then rebuked them and instituted the precept.