Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 41Asking for Fine Foods

The Sutta on Asking for Fine Foods

Paṇītabhojana Pātimokkha

Background

This sutta is recorded in the Pācittiya section of the Vinaya Pitaka, specifically among the rules of practice for members of the Sangha. Pācittiya offenses are faults that need to be confessed and corrected, lighter in nature than Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa offenses. The background for the arising of Vinaya rules usually comes from specific events in the Sangha community of the Buddha.

The sutta "Asking for Fine Foods" is directly related to monastics requesting special, selected, or luxurious foods. This is an important aspect of the Vinaya, reflecting the balance between maintaining bodily health and avoiding the arising of attachment and conceit in the monastic community.

Main Content

This rule prohibits female and male monastics from actively asking for fine, rare, or luxurious foods (paṇīta bhojana). These foods may include special kinds of meat, elaborate dishes, rare fruits, milk, butter, honey, and similar products.

The reason for this rule is profound and many-sided. First, selective desire for food easily gives rise to craving (lobha), conflicting with the first precept concerning avoidance of killing. Second, it reflects the nature of the Buddhist Sangha: practitioners should live simply and plainly, without demanding unnecessary comforts. Third, monastics asking for fine foods may place difficulty on ordinary householders, thereby harming the relationship between the Sangha and the community of faithful followers.

Note that this rule does not prohibit receiving fine foods if they are voluntarily offered. The difference lies in intention and active conduct: a monastic who personally asks commits an offense, but accepting what others voluntarily bring is permitted.