Lzh Dg Bu Vb Pc 33Eating in a Group

– FOUR-PART VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

33. EATING SEPARATELY FROM THE COMMUNITY

A. ORIGIN

At one time, the Buddha was dwelling on Gṛdhrakūṭa Mountain at Rājagṛha. At that time, Devadatta had sent people to harm the Buddha, had also incited Ajātaśatru to kill his father, and his evil reputation had spread, so that his material support was cut off.

At that time, Devadatta together with five bhikkhus went begging for food from house to house. The names of these five bhikkhus were: Samuddadatta, Khandadeviyāputta, Kokālika, Kaṭamoraka-tissa…

The bhikkhus heard that Devadatta had sent people to harm the Buddha, had incited Ajātaśatru to kill his father, that his evil reputation had spread, and that his material support had been completely cut off, and that he had gone begging from house to house together with five bhikkhus.

The Blessed One, on account of this matter, assembled the community of bhikkhus. Though he already knew, he still asked Devadatta:

"Is it true that you went begging from house to house together with five bhikkhus?"

Devadatta replied:

"It is indeed true."

The Blessed One rebuked Devadatta with countless skillful means:

"What you have done is wrong; it is not proper conduct, it is not the practice of a śramaṇa, it is not pure conduct, it is not conforming behavior, it is doing what should not be done. Devadatta, why did you go begging from house to house together with five bhikkhus?"

Thereupon, after the Blessed One had rebuked Devadatta with countless skillful means, he said to the bhikkhus:

"This foolish Devadatta is a field for sowing many defiled seeds; he is the first to commit this offense. From this time forward, I shall establish a rule for the bhikkhus, comprising ten beneficial purposes, up to and including the purpose of the true Dharma enduring long."

The rule to be proclaimed is as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, it is a pācittiya.

The Blessed One thus established this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, there were ill bhikkhus who had received invitations for a meal but where there were no foods or medicines suitable to their illness, and elsewhere there were excellent foods and medicines suitable to their illness; yet they were afraid and did not dare to accept them, fearing they would commit the offense of eating separately from the community. The Blessed One, knowing this, said to the bhikkhus:

"From this time forward, bhikkhus who are ill are permitted to eat separately from the community."

From this time forward, the rule shall be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, except in special circumstances, it is a pācittiya. The special circumstance is when one is ill.

The Blessed One thus established this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, the bhikkhus had completed the Pavāraṇā; it was the Kattika month, the time for making robes. The lay men of the community thought: "These bhikkhus have completed the Pavāraṇā and are now making robes during the Kattika month. We should prepare food to offer to the Saṅgha. Why? Because we fear these bhikkhus are working hard making robes and may not be able to come to eat." Those lay men went to the monastery and informed the bhikkhus:

"Tomorrow morning we will offer a meal. Please, venerable ones, accept our invitation."

The bhikkhus replied:

"Only three may be invited; we are not permitted to eat in a separate group."

The lay men said to the bhikkhus:

"We all thought that the venerable ones have completed the Pavāraṇā and are now making robes during the Kattika month. Fearing that the bhikkhus are laboring hard and might not be able to come to eat, we invited the venerable ones to accept a meal. Yet the bhikkhus say that only three may be invited, because they are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

The bhikkhus went and reported this to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said:

"From this time forward, bhikkhus are permitted to eat separately from the community during the robe-making time."

From this time forward, the rule shall be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, except in other circumstances, it is a pācittiya. The other circumstances are: when one is ill, during the robe-making time. These are the other circumstances.

The Blessed One thus established this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, some lay people wished to offer food and robes; they came to the monastery and informed the bhikkhus:

"Tomorrow morning I wish to offer food. I request the Saṅgha to accept my invitation."

The bhikkhus replied:

"Only three may be invited; we are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

The lay person said:

"Venerable ones, I wish to offer food and robes. Please accept my invitation."

But the bhikkhus said: "Only three may be invited, because we are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

Thereupon the bhikkhus went and reported this to the Buddha. The Buddha instructed:

"From this time forward, bhikkhus are permitted to eat separately from the community when receiving an offering of robes."

From this time forward, the rule shall be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, except in other circumstances, it is a pācittiya. The other circumstances are: when one is ill, during the robe-making time, during the robe-offering time. These are the other circumstances.

The Blessed One thus established this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, a number of bhikkhus and some lay people were traveling together along the road to the country of Kosala. When the time for begging came, the bhikkhus said to the lay people:

"We wish to enter the village to beg for food. Please wait a moment; we will return and then we can travel together."

The lay people replied:

"Come along with us. We will provide you with food and drink."

The bhikkhus said:

"Only food for three may be given. We are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

The lay people said:

"Venerable ones, this road is dangerous, there is reason to fear attack. Please come with us! We will provide you with food and drink. You should not travel behind us, as your numbers are too few."

The bhikkhus said:

"Only food for three may be given. We are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

Then the bhikkhus entered the village to beg for food. The lay people went ahead; the bhikkhus came behind and could not keep up, and were robbed by bandits who seized their robes. The bhikkhus reported this matter in full to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said to the bhikkhus:

"From this time forward, when the road is dangerous, bhikkhus are permitted to eat separately from the community."

From this time forward, the rule shall be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, except in other circumstances, it is a pācittiya. The other circumstances are: when one is ill, during the robe-making time, during the robe-offering time, when traveling by road. These are the other circumstances.

The Blessed One thus established this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, a number of bhikkhus and some lay people were traveling together by boat, going downstream. When the time for begging came, the bhikkhus said to the lay people:

"Please stop the boat for a short time. We need to enter the village to beg for food, and will return to travel together."

The lay people said:

"Do not go! We will provide you with food and drink."

The bhikkhus said:

"Only provisions for three may be given. We are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

The lay people said:

"Along this stretch of riverbank there are many bandits; there is reason to fear attack. You are few in number and should not go behind; you will be robbed by bandits. Do not go! We will provide you with food and drink."

The bhikkhus said:

"Only provisions for three may be given. We are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

Then the bhikkhus still went ashore to beg for food. Their fellow travelers went on ahead; the bhikkhus came behind and were robbed by bandits who seized their robes. The bhikkhus reported this matter in full to the Buddha. The Buddha said to the bhikkhus:

"From this time forward, bhikkhus are permitted to eat separately from the community when traveling by boat."

From this time forward, the rule shall be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, except in other circumstances, it is a pācittiya. The other circumstances are: when one is ill, during the robe-making time, during the robe-offering time, when traveling by road, when traveling by boat. These are the other circumstances.

The Blessed One thus established this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, a large number of bhikkhus traveled from the country of Kosala on a wandering journey to a small village. The lay people thought: "The Saṅgha is large in number but the village is small. Let us prepare food for the Saṅgha to partake of, so that the Saṅgha need not go to the trouble and hardship of begging." They then went to the monastery and said to the bhikkhus:

"Venerable ones, tomorrow please accept food from us."

The bhikkhus said:

"Only three may be invited. We are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

The lay people said:

"We thought that the Saṅgha is large in number but the village is small. We were only afraid there might not be enough food, causing the Saṅgha hardship."

The bhikkhus again said:

"Only three may be invited. We are not permitted to eat as a separate group."

At that time the bhikkhus went and reported this to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said:

"From this time forward, bhikkhus are permitted to eat separately from the community when a large assembly has gathered."

From this time forward, the rule shall be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhu eats separately from the community, except in other circumstances, it is a pācittiya. The other circumstances are: when one is ill, during the robe-making time, during the robe-offering time, when traveling by road, when traveling by boat, when a large assembly has gathered. These are the other circumstances.

The Blessed One had thus established this precept for the monks. At that time, a son of the sister of King Bimbisāra, named Kāla, had offered food to ascetics before going forth among the heterodox outsiders. He came before King Bimbisāra and said:

"I have already prepared a meal offering for the ascetics. Now I wish to go forth."

King Bimbisāra asked:

"Where do you wish to go forth?"

He replied:

"I wish to go forth among the Nigaṇṭhas."

The King asked further:

"Have you prepared a meal offering for my ascetics?"

Kāla said:

"Your Majesty, which ascetics are these?"

The King said:

"These are the ascetics of the Śākya clan."

Kāla said:

"I have not yet prepared a meal offering for them."

The King said:

"You should now prepare a meal offering for the ascetics, the sons of the Śākyas."

Kāla then went to the monastery and said to the monks:

"I now wish to prepare a meal offering for the Community of monks. I respectfully request that you accept my invitation."

The monks said:

"Only three persons may be invited. We are not permitted to eat in a group."

At that time, Kāla said to the monks:

"I prepared offerings for the ascetics before going forth among the outsiders. Then I went before King Bimbisāra and said, 'I have already prepared offerings for the ascetics. Now I wish to go forth.' The King asked me, 'Where do you wish to go forth?' I replied, 'I wish to go forth among the Nigaṇṭhas.' The King asked me again, 'Have you prepared a meal offering for my ascetics?' At that time I asked, 'Which ascetics are these?' The King told me, 'These are the ascetics, the sons of the Śākyas.' The King instructed me, 'You should go there and prepare a meal offering for the ascetic sons of the Śākyas, and only then go forth.' For this reason I have come to the monastery to invite the Venerable Ones. I respectfully implore you to accept my invitation."

At that time, the monks, having heard this account, went and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha said to the monks:

"From this time forward, I permit monks to eat in a group when an ascetic offers food."

From this time forward, the precept shall be recited as follows:

Whatever monk eats in a group, except in certain circumstances, commits a pācittiya. The certain circumstances are: when ill, during the robe-sewing period, during the robe-offering period, when traveling on a journey, when traveling by boat, when the great assembly is gathered, and when an ascetic offers food. These are the certain circumstances.

B. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRECEPT

Monk: as explained above.

Eating in a group: four persons or more than four persons.

Food: this refers to cooked rice, dried provisions, dried rice, fish, and meat.

Ill: even if only the heel is sprained.

Robe-sewing period: after the Pavāraṇā, if the Kaṭhina robe has not been received, approximately one month; if the Kaṭhina robe has been received, approximately five months—even if only a single stitch like a horse's tooth has been sewn on the robe.

Robe-offering period: after the Pavāraṇā, if the Kaṭhina robe has not been received, approximately one month; if the Kaṭhina robe has been received, approximately five months; and other cases of offering food and robes.

When traveling on a journey: even if traveling only half a yojana, including both going and returning.

When traveling by boat: even if going upstream or downstream by boat within half a yojana.

When the great assembly is gathered: if there is food sufficient for four persons but one person more arrives, that constitutes hardship. Five persons, ten persons, up to one hundred persons, if one person more arrives, that constitutes hardship.

An ascetic offers food: this refers to those who have gone forth among the outsiders beyond the ascetic sons of the Śākyas.

If a monk has no valid reason for eating in a group, that monk should rise and announce: "I have no valid reason to be in this group meal. I wish to withdraw from the group."

The Buddha said:

"Permission is granted to withdraw."

Those who likewise have no valid reason are also permitted to withdraw from the group. If there are two or three persons, they may eat as they wish. If there are four or more persons, they should divide into two groups and take turns to eat.

If a monk has a valid reason to eat with a separate group and wishes to join, he should rise and announce: "I have a valid reason to eat with this separate group. I wish to join."

The Buddha instructed:

"This should be permitted. He shall be seated in accordance with the order of seniority among the elders."

If any monk eats in a separate group, he commits one pācittiya for each mouthful eaten. If he has a valid reason but does not announce it, he commits a duṣkṛta.

A bhikṣuṇī commits a pācittiya. A śikṣamāṇā, a śrāmaṇera, and a śrāmaṇerī commit a duṣkṛta. These are called offenses.

Non-offense: when ill, during the robe-sewing period, during the robe-offering period, when traveling on a journey, when traveling by boat, when the great assembly is gathered, when an ascetic offers food, or when three or four persons take turns eating, or when traveling with a valid reason—all of these are without offense.

Those who do not offend: one who commits an offense for the first time before the precept has been established; one who is insane, of disturbed mind, or in extreme pain and distress.

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Vietnamese translation: Bhikkhu Thích Đỗng Minh and Thích Đức Thắng. FOUR-PART VINAYA, PART ONE

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka masters Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated by: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

(Chinese translation, fascicles 1–21; Vietnamese translation, volumes 1–2)

Buddhist Studies Editorial Board, 2002