Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 43Eating With Attention on the Bowl

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE BEGINNING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– CLARIFYING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

43. "One should train thus: one should eat with a composed mind, keeping attention on the bowl."

Eating with a composed mind, keeping attention on the bowl: One must not place the bowl in front of oneself and then converse with the person beside one. If there is a reason to speak with someone to the left or right, the left hand must hold the rim of the bowl. When one sees a person carrying food approaching from three people's distance away, one must rinse the bowl clean and hold it in readiness, waiting for one's turn. If one is lax in the sense faculties and does not maintain a composed mind with attention on the bowl while eating, this is to treat the training rule with disregard. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is an offense. Therefore it is said:

"One should train thus: one should eat with a composed mind, keeping attention on the bowl."

When the Buddha was residing at the city of Sāvatthī, as elaborated above. At that time, a householder came to the monastery to offer a meal to the Sangha. While eating, the group of six bhikkhus demanded rice and soup, and the donor reproached them, saying:

—Why do the disciples of the Sakyan ascetic, at a meal, demand rice and demand soup?

Then they asked:

—Venerable Sirs, I have voluntarily offered a full supply of food; why then do you clamor with demands?

The bhikkhus then brought this matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately directed that the group of six bhikkhus be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It truly did, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, I do not permit demanding food.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing at the monastery of the Sakyan clan in the city of Kapilavatthu, it was the custom that the Tathāgata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, for five reasons, would inspect the bhikkhus' quarters once every five days. He saw a bhikkhu who was ill, thin, and emaciated. Though he already knew, the Buddha still asked:

—Bhikkhu, what is your ailment?

—Blessed One, I am afflicted with pain and have no joy whatsoever.

—Are you not able to ask for food suitable for your illness and medicine suitable for your illness?

—Blessed One, because the Blessed One has established the rule that one may not ask for food, I do not dare ask.

—From this day forward, I permit a sick bhikkhu to ask for food.

Then the Buddha commanded that all the bhikkhus dwelling at the city of Kapilavatthu must assemble together, and for ten reasons he established the rule for the bhikkhus — 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

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH