Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 25Even Measure of Curry

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLICATING THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLICATING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

25. "One should train thus: Receive rice and curry in equal measure."

Receiving rice and curry in equal measure: One must not take curry first and rice afterward; rather, one must first place the rice into the bowl and only then take curry. If the custom of that country is to serve curry first and rice afterward, one should use a bowl to receive it. If there is no bowl, one should use a leaf or a small dish to receive it.

If there are no leaves either, one may use the bowl to receive the curry. However, when receiving rice, one must support it with the hand and place it gently into the bowl, not allowing it to overflow and spill out. If a sick bhikkhu requires more curry, taking a greater amount of curry is not an offense.

If one is negligent with the faculties and does not receive rice and curry in equal measure, this constitutes disregard for a training rule. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no exemption from offense. Therefore it is said:

"One should train thus: Receive rice and curry in equal measure."

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī — as explained in full above — at that time a householder came to the monastery to offer a meal. While eating, the group of six bhikkhus ate around the four sides of the bowl, leaving the center untouched, and were thus ridiculed by people of the world:

— Why do these Sakyan recluses behave like dissolute persons, hollowing out the four sides of the bowl to eat while leaving the center? These are corrupt men — what discipline do they possess?

The bhikkhus then went and reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

— Did this actually happen?

— It is as reported, Blessed One.

— From this day forward, you must not hollow out the four sides of the bowl to eat.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed all the bhikkhus dwelling in Sāvatthī to assemble, and for ten benefits promulgated this training rule for the bhikkhus, so that even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA FROM INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Meaning verified by: Thích Đỗng Minh