四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.107

3.107

"If a bhikṣu tickles another [bhikṣu] with his fingers, it is a prāyaścittika." The text of the precept has three phrases: first, the person who commits the offense; second, tickling; third, the assigning of the offense. In differentiating the aspects, the first phrase is evident. As for the second, "tickles with his fingers": the Vinaya states that "fingers" refers to the twenty digits of the hands and feet. As for the third, "prāyaścittika": this is the designation for the transgression. In the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya, tickling with the hands and feet is in all cases a prāyaścittika offense. The Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya states: "Aside from the fingers of the hands and feet, if one tickles with a staff, a duster handle, a door key, or any other object, it is a duṣkṛta. Pointing a finger at a bhikṣu is also a prāyaścittika; five fingers pointed entails five prāyaścittikas, and even pointing at So-and-so in an assembly [saying] 'Depart!' also entails a prāyaścittika for making him leave." The Mahīśāsaka Vinaya states: "If one tickles a śrāmaṇera or even an animal, it is also a duṣkṛta." The Vinaya states that it is not an offense if: it is not done intentionally; if one touches a sleeper to wake him; if it occurs while entering, exiting, walking, or coming; or if one mistakenly touches someone while sweeping the ground—none of these is an offense.