Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
XXI. Kimbila Vagga
The Book of Fives
Sutta 208
Danta-Kaṭṭha Suttaṃ
The Tooth Stick
Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds
Once upon a time Bhagava, Sāvatthi-town, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park, came-a revisiting.
There, to the Beggars gathered round, he said:
"Beggars! There are five bad results from not brushing your teeth.1
What five?
The vision is unclear.
Bad breath.
Sensitivity to the subtleties of taste is impaired.
One's food is contaminated by phlegm and mucus.
And the enjoyment of food is diminished.
Indeed, Beggars, these are five bad results from not brushing your teeth.
"Beggars! There are five good results from brushing your teeth.
What five?
The vision is clear.
Sweet breath.
Sensitivity to the subtleties of taste.
One's food is not contaminated by phlegm and mucus.
And the enjoyment of food is undiminished.
Indeed, Beggars, these are five good results from brushing your teeth."
1 Using a "tooth stick." danta-kaṭṭhassa danta = ivories > dentals. kaṭṭha: a piece of wood. As a tooth stick, usually a piece of a sweet wood such as licorice, about the thickness of a finger and the length of a span. The stick is chewed on and used to dislodge food particles that remain after eating.
Of Related Interest:
Vinaya Pitaka, Culla-Vagga 5.31: the Rhys Davids, Oldenberg translation; and
VP.CV. 5.31: The Horner translation.
