Lzh Dg Bi Pm Sk 43Slurping

The Surusurukāraka Sutta: On the Act of Slurping While Drinking

Background

The Surusurukāraka Sutta (the Slurping Sutta) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, within the Khandaka section, the rules concerning specific actions of monastics in the Sangha community. The name “Surusurukāraka” comes from the sound “suru suru,” describing the slurping sound made when taking drinks, especially soup or hot broth.

The context of this text lies in the formation of the Buddha’s Vinaya, when monastics committed minor faults in daily conduct. Some monastics made loud slurping sounds while drinking broth or soup, causing displeasure to others and to people outside the dispensation. This was considered undignified and unsuitable for the image of one gone forth to practice.

Recognizing this issue, the Buddha set forth specific guidance for monastics to train in drinking politely and quietly, without making loud noise.

Main Content

The text states clearly that monastics, when drinking soup or hot broth, should not make loud slurping sounds (surusura), noisy resonant sounds made as liquid moves against the mouth or throat. This conduct is regarded as a form of lack of refinement (akkhama) and unsuitability for the religious life (abhirūpa).

The rule prescribes that monastics should drink quietly and gently, with clear mindfulness (sati). If they must drink something hot, they should wait for it to cool a little or drink in small careful sips. This is not only a matter of social etiquette, but also concerns training one’s whole awareness.

For those who commit this fault, the Buddha did not prescribe a heavy penalty, such as imprisonment or expulsion, but a gentle reminder and admonition from senior bhikkhus. This is an example of how the Vinaya builds a culture of practice based on self-awareness and mutual respect.