Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.3426

v2.c36.3426

Sucimukhī.—A Paribbājikā. She once saw Sāriputta in Rājagaha eating his meal, which he had begged from house to house, leaning against a wall. Sucimukhī asked him why he looked downwards while eating. When Sāriputta disclaimed doing so, she asked him, respectively, why he ate looking upwards, towards the four quarters, between the four quarters. He denied the truth of all her statements, and then explained to her his reason for his denial. He lived neither by such low arts as divination, nor by star-gazing, going errands, or palmistry. Sucimukhī understood, and went about Rājagaha praising the blamelessness of Sākyan monks.¹