Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 44Asking for Rice and Curry

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE FIRST PORTION OF THE RULES OF TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY:

– CLARIFYING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE RULES OF TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

44. "One must train thus: When not ill, one must not demand food for one's own sake."

When not ill, one must not demand rice and curry for one's own sake. If one is ill and needs more curry, demanding it incurs no offense. However, if one is unrestrained in one's faculties and, while not ill, demands food for one's own sake, this is to disregard the rule of training. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"One must train thus: A bhikkhu who is not ill must not demand food for his own sake."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as has been told in full above. At that time, a householder came to the monastery to offer a meal to the Saṃgha. While eating, the group of six bhikkhus first received fish, meat, and curry, then covered it over with rice. The one overseeing the serving of food noticed this and asked:

—Venerable ones, have you already received the fish, meat, and curry?

—Elder, you can see for yourself; why do you need to ask?

The one overseeing the serving of food then asked the food server:

—Why have you not given fish, meat, and curry to this place?

—Which place has not yet received it?

—This place here has not yet received it.

—I have already given it; why do you say it has not been received?

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

—Is it true that this occurred?

—It is indeed true, Blessed One.

—From now on, you must not cover curry with rice in hopes of receiving more curry.

Then the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for ten reasons he laid down a precept for the bhikkhus, which all must hear again even if they have already heard it:

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

Verification of meaning: Thích Đỗng Minh