Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 38Slurping

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLAINING THE FIRST PART OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLAINING THE REMAINING SEKHIYA RULES.

38. "A training rule to be observed: One must not slurp food while eating."

When eating various liquid foods such as thin porridge, fresh milk, sour milk, soup, or rice gruel, one must not make a slurping sound but should swallow slowly.

If one is negligent with regard to the sense faculties and slurps food while eating, this amounts to disregarding the training rule. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is an offense. Therefore it is said:

"A training rule to be observed: One must not slurp food while eating."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described at length 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 monks gulped down their food with loud gurgling sounds, and the people of the world mocked them, saying:

—Why do these Sakyan ascetics eat while making gurgling sounds like donkeys and camels eating? These are degenerate persons—what virtue do they have!

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

—Is it true that you did this?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, you must not gulp down food while eating.

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the monks to assemble, and for ten benefits he established this rule for the monks, 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 OF INDIA

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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH