Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 31Eating Successive Meals
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paramparabhojana
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Explanation of the Paramparabhojana Sutta (Eating Successive Meals)
Background
The Paramparabhojana Sutta (Pāli: paramparabhojana, meaning "successive eating" or "eating from many tables") is an important rule in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravāda tradition. This rule is found in the Pātimokkha section of the Vinaya Pitaka, specifically in the Pācittiya chapter, offenses requiring confession.
The background for the arising of this rule is connected with the way of life of bhikkhus in the early Buddhist Sangha. At that time, monastics lived by offerings from lay followers, and eating had to follow certain disciplinary principles in order to preserve concentration and virtue. This sutta was established to help monastics cultivate moderation in eating, avoid pleasure-seeking, and maintain the spirit of practice.
Main Content
The Paramparabhojana rule prohibits bhikkhus from eating from several different meal tables during the same alms round. Specifically, after eating enough from one meal table, or from one lay donor, if a monastic then goes elsewhere and eats from another table, this is considered a Pācittiya offense, that is, an offense lighter than a Pārājika, offenses leading to expulsion, but still requiring confession before the Sangha.
The term "successive" (paramparā) refers to eating from one table and then another continuously, not eating from two tables at the same time in one place. This reflects a mental state of greed: not knowing satisfaction with the food already received, but continually seeking additional meals.
The purpose of this rule is to maintain moderation in eating. Bhikkhus are permitted to eat one meal per day, before noon, but that meal should be completed in one place or from a small number of lay donors, not by going everywhere to "ask for more" by eating from many different households. This helps avoid burdening lay followers and also trains the mind in non-greed.
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