Lzh Mg Bi Pm Pd 7Asking for Fish

Asking for Fish (Macchaviññāpana)

Background

The Asking for Fish (Macchaviññāpana) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, reflecting regulations concerning the proper conduct of the ascetic life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The situations in the Vinaya Piṭaka typically arise from specific problems that emerged within the Buddha's Saṅgha community. This text records a regulation concerning the requesting of food—particularly fish—by novices or bhikkhus from laypeople or from those who supply food.

In the context of ancient India, bhikkhus lived by going on almsround—walking through villages to receive food from those with faith. However, not every form of requesting food was consistent with the spirit of the monastic life. The Vinaya Piṭaka sets forth guidelines to protect the integrity of the Saṅgha and to avoid actions that might cause confusion or diminish the confidence of the lay community.

Main Content

The Asking for Fish addresses the question of whether bhikkhus should directly request fish from those who sell or supply fish. This is not a matter of eating fish—in the Theravāda tradition, fish is not forbidden as it is in certain Mahāyāna schools. The issue lies in the manner in which a practitioner carries out such an action.

According to the principles of the Vinaya Piṭaka, a bhikkhu should not actively solicit or request specific foods from laypeople. In particular, directly asking for fish—or any food—may be regarded as an act of greed, or as a failure to bear in mind the suffering involved when a living being is killed to provide that food. Although fish may be received if offered voluntarily, a bhikkhu should not be the one who causes fish to be killed on his account.

This regulation reflects the principle of Ahiṃsā (non-harming)—one of the foundations of Buddhist practice. While eating fish is not absolutely prohibited, a practitioner should avoid generating a direct demand that leads to the killing of a living being.