Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pd 8Asking for Meat
Pāli / Sanskrit:Maṁsaviññāpana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Maṁsaviññāpana Scripture (Requesting Meat)
Context
The Maṁsaviññāpana scripture is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically within the Pātimokkha chapter concerning restrictions related to the eating of meat by bhikkhus. This is not a Dharma discourse (Sutta) but a monastic rule, reflecting the rules of communal life established by the Buddha for the Sangha.
The context in which this rule was formed is connected with practical issues that arose in communal life. As the Sangha developed, situations surrounding eating became more complex, especially disputes and disagreements among bhikkhus concerning kinds of food. This rule was established to maintain harmony and diligence in practice, and to avoid actions that might harm the reputation of the Sangha.
Main Content
The Maṁsaviññāpana rule concerns the situation in which a bhikkhu asks a food provider (usually a layperson) to cook or bring meat for him. The law prescribes that a bhikkhu is not permitted to request (viññāpana) or hint (sanniketa) that another person cook meat specially for him. This action is considered a Pācittiya offense, a type of violation requiring confession and repentance.
The reason for this rule is deeper than outward conduct. It protects the principle of morality (Sīla) — one of the three pillars of Buddhist practice. According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, a bhikkhu should eat foods offered out of the compassion of laypeople, not foods obtained through private requests. The rule also aims to prevent discrimination in the Sangha and avoid creating unreasonable burdens for families that provide food.
The act of requesting meat in particular also contains a deeper meaning: it may reflect craving (lobha) and delight in delicious foods, which contradict the spirit of practice directed toward relinquishment.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.