Lzh Mg Bi Pm Pd 8Asking for Meat
Pāli / Sanskrit:Maṁsaviññāpana
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Commentary on the Maṁsaviññāpana Sutta (Asking for Meat)
Background
The Maṁsaviññāpana is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, which records in detail the rules of discipline for the monastic community of monks and nuns. This is one of the matters concerning food and eating about which the Buddha gave specific guidance to his monastic disciples.
The context from which this rule arose relates to early debates within the monastic community about whether meat should be eaten at all, and in particular about the practice of requesting meat from households or from donors. The Buddha, in his boundless wisdom, did not entirely prohibit the eating of meat for bhikkhus, but established strict conditions to guard against impropriety and attachment.
Principal Content
This text addresses the issue of bhikkhus actively requesting or implying that they wish to eat meat. The Buddha taught that requesting meat, whether directly or indirectly, is considered a transgression of the rules of discipline within the Sangha.
The fundamental rule the Buddha established is as follows: a bhikkhu may eat meat only when three conditions are simultaneously fulfilled. First, he has not himself caught or ordered the killing of an animal. Second, he has not heard the sound of an animal being killed for the purpose of providing meat for him. Third, he has no suspicion that the meat was prepared specifically for him. If any one of these three conditions is not satisfied, eating that meat is improper.
Of still greater importance, a bhikkhu must not actively request or encourage the preparation of meat. This includes indirect means such as praising the flavor of meat, describing meat in an enticing manner, or suggesting that a particular kind of meat would help improve his health.
Practical Significance
The rule of Maṁsaviññāpana reflects three profound principles of Theravāda Buddhism: adherence to wholesome qualities (kusala), the avoidance of greed and attachment (lobha), and ethical conduct in action (sīla).
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