Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pd 7Asking for Fish
Pāli / Sanskrit:Macchaviññāpana
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The Sutta on Asking for Fish (Macchaviññāpana)
Background
The Sutta on Asking for Fish is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the regulations concerning the dignity and proper conduct of the monastic community. It forms part of the Pācittiya—the fourth category of ethical rules within the code of discipline for monks and nuns, governing actions that constitute an offense requiring individual confession and expiation.
The context in which this text arose relates to a specific situation within the early religious community, when members of the monastic Sangha began making requests or engaging in conduct incompatible with the orientation of their practice. This regulation was promulgated in order to maintain dignity, and to avoid actions that indirectly cause harm to the reverence accorded to the Dharma and to those who practice it.
Principal Content
The Sutta on Asking for Fish addresses the matter of a monk or nun requesting or encouraging others to bring fish for purposes of nourishment. This may take the form of a direct or indirect request—for example, through implication, suggestion, or praising the value of providing fish for the purpose of consumption or sustenance.
Such an action, according to the Pācittiya rules, is regarded as an ethical offense requiring confession and expiation. The fundamental reason is not the fish itself, but rather because the act of requesting or encouraging others to provide fish reflects a state of mind that has not truly conformed to the principle of Non-Harming (Ahiṃsā). Even an indirect request—rather than killing with one's own hand—still constitutes involvement in a harmful act, for it encourages another person to perform an act devoid of compassion.
This rule likewise reflects the ideal of dignity: a monk should not allow material wants to overwhelm his practice, nor should he manipulate or request lay supporters to provide things that are unnecessary. The act of asking for fish further suggests greed or a lack of contentment—qualities contrary to the ideal of one who trains in the Buddha-Dharma.
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