Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 29Even Measure of Curry
Pāli / Sanskrit:Samasūpaka
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SUTTA ON AN EVEN MEASURE OF SOUP (Samasūpaka)
Background
The Samasūpaka Sutta (soup in proper measure) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and is part of the Pātimokkha Sutta, the fundamental rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. The content of the sutta concerns the preparation of food in the monastic community, especially the way of distributing soup or curry (sūpa) fairly and properly.
The Canon was recorded to preserve the rules of life for the Sangha, helping the community maintain discipline (vinaya) and create an environment favorable for practice. Regulations concerning eating and drinking are not unreasonable restrictions, but guidelines to keep monks and nuns from falling into situations that lead to greed, hatred, and delusion, arouse unwholesome tendencies, or create inequality in the community.
Main Content
The Samasūpaka Sutta addresses the issue of distributing soup or curry (sūpa, a vegetable soup or broth) in a moderate and fair way within the monastic community. This regulation arose from specific situations in which bhikkhus tried to monopolize or receive a larger portion of soup than others, thereby creating conflict and jealousy in the Sangha.
The rule prescribes that soup must be distributed according to a common standard, not according to preference, status, or personal relationship. Each monastic should receive a proper portion, equal to that of others, reflecting the principle of equality and compassion in the Buddha Dharma.
The Vinaya commentaries record that disputes over food easily lead to hatred (dosa) and greed (lobha). When bhikkhus begin competing over food, a basic necessity but not the purpose of practice, it is a sign of deviation from the path of Dharma. The regulation concerning a proper measure of soup is meant to ensure that material needs are met minimally, without stirring up greed or creating injustice.
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