Lzh Mi Bi Pm Sk 67Not Eat Screwing Up Nose

An Explanation of the Discourse: On Not Eating While Controlling the Sense Faculties

Background

This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma, where the rules of the path for monks and nuns are recorded. These are practical guidelines intended to instruct disciples in a disciplined way of life, from the smallest details of daily living to the fundamental principles of ascetic practice.

The title of this discourse, though it may sound simple, actually refers to the control of the sense faculties (indriya-saṃvara), especially the observation and restraint of improper behaviors connected with basic bodily activities. The Vinaya Piṭaka was proclaimed by the Buddha with a single purpose: to give disciples the conditions and the purity of mind needed to proceed toward awakening. Each rule is not a meaningless restriction, but a step leading to spiritual freedom.

Main Content

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this discourse guides bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in maintaining discipline in basic daily activities. Specifically, it emphasizes that monastics should not:

First, eat and drink in an excessive or inattentive manner. In Early Buddhism, eating is not for the satisfaction of pleasure, but to maintain life in service of the work of practice. Each meal must be undertaken with mindfulness (sati), clearly knowing, “I eat to sustain life, not to seek material happiness.”

Second, the sense faculties, especially the nose (ghāna), tongue (jivhā), and body (kāya), must be closely guarded. The discourse teaches that seeking satisfaction through the senses is a cause leading to suffering. Therefore, “restraining the nose” (nāsa-saṃvara), or not letting the senses become unrestrained, is a core act of practice.

The discourse also emphasizes that even the smallest actions have an effect on the mind.