Lzh Dg Bu Pm Sk 41Stuffing Cheeks

Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutta (The Sutta on Stuffing the Cheeks)

Background

The Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutta is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, where the disciplinary rules for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs are preserved. This sutta is recorded among the rules related to the practice of eating and the refined conduct of the Sangha in the life of training.

In the context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, these rules arose from specific situations encountered by the Buddha in the Sangha. When disciples acted improperly or drew criticism from outsiders, he would give teachings and rules of training (Pātimokkha) to guide the intentions and actions of monastics. The Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutta concerns polite eating conduct in the monastery, especially the rule that one should not stuff the cheeks or fill the mouth with food while eating.

Main Content

This sutta gives a reminder concerning the act of stuffing the cheeks, that is, putting too much food in the mouth at once, which is considered unrefined and undignified for the image of a bhikkhu. This action is not only contrary to moderation, but also creates a poor impression among laypeople who observe.

From the standpoint of the Theravāda tradition, bhikkhus need to maintain dignity in every action, including while eating. The mouth, one of the indriya or sense faculties, must be disciplined through mindfulness (sati) and right view (sammā diṭṭhi). Eating gently, in small mouthfuls, is not merely a matter of etiquette, but an opportunity to practice awareness (appamāda) in every daily moment.

This rule also reflects a basic principle of Theravāda Buddhism: one should not be greedy (lobha) or excessive in anything, including eating. A bhikkhu should eat with the spirit of right effort (sammā vāyāma), that is, moderately, to sustain the body for study and practice, not to satisfy ambition or sensual pleasure.