Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 33Mouth Full

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLAINING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLAINING THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

33. "A rule to be trained in: One must not speak with the mouth full of food."

One must not speak with the mouth full of food: If one is eating and is called by the preceptor, the ācārya, or a senior bhikkhu, and one has not yet swallowed all the food but one's voice sounds no different from normal, then one may respond.

If this is not possible, one must swallow all the food completely before responding. If the one who called reproaches you, then reply: "Because there was food in my mouth, I was unable to respond immediately."

If one is lax in restraining the sense faculties and speaks with the mouth full of food, this is to disregard the rule to be trained in. Except in the case of one whose mind is deranged, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule to be trained in: One must not speak with the mouth full of food."

Verse summary:

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, as elaborated above. At that time, a householder came to the monastery to offer a meal to the community of monks. While eating, the group of six bhikkhus scraped their bowls with their fingers to eat, and were thus reproached by people of the world, who said:

—Why do the ascetic disciples of the Śākyan eat like children, or like prisoners starving?

Then they asked:

—Venerable ones, you have more than enough food and drink—why then must you scrape the bowl? These are dissolute ones; what conduct worthy of the path do they have!

The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered that the group of six bhikkhus be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Is it true that this occurred?

—It is indeed true, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, you must not scrape the bowl with your fingers to eat.

Then the Buddha instructed all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for ten benefits he proclaimed the precept for the bhikkhus, so that even those who have already heard it shall hear it again:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

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

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH