Lzh Mg Bi Pm Ss 11Receiving Food With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Avassutā avassutassa
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The Sutta on Receiving Food With Lust
(Avassutā avassutassa)
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition — the section of monastic law governing the Sangha, established by the Blessed One, Śākyamuni Buddha. The Vinaya Piṭaka serves as the foundation for regulating the monastic community, setting forth proper and improper conduct in the life of one who has gone forth.
The sutta "Avassutā avassutassa" (Receiving Food With Lust) arose from a specific incident in the history of the Sangha. The Buddha witnessed certain bhikkhus violating the spirit of the training by reflecting on food in an improper manner — approaching their meals with a mind of sensual desire, craving the enjoyment of pleasant flavors, rather than regarding food as medicine for the maintenance of bodily health sufficient to sustain the practice. This constituted a profound violation of the spirit of the training, for it revealed that those who had gone forth were still subject to the sway of basic sensual drives.
Principal Content
In this sutta, the Buddha teaches that when receiving food (āhāra), the practitioner must maintain wise attention (yoniso manasikāra). This means clearly recognizing the true purpose of eating — not to gratify sensual craving, but to nourish the body so that one may continue upon the path of practice and attain Nirvana.
The term "avassutā avassutassa" evokes the image of water flowing out of an unsteady bowl that is not held firm. Likewise, when the mind is not guarded with clear awareness (asati, the absence of mindfulness), one's thoughts regarding food flow outward and come under the influence of sensual desire. The practitioner who is "avassutā" (ungoverned, unguarded) receives food with the mind of "avassutassa" (one who is without clear awareness), thereby incurring a violation of the rule.
The Buddha emphasizes that such conduct constitutes a violation of the Pāṭimokkha — the fundamental code of rules — for both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The practitioner must clearly understand: food is medicine (paṭibhaya), not a dish to be enjoyed as in worldly life. This manner of approach aids in restraining sensual desires and in maintaining a mind free from greed.
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