Lzh Mi Bu Vb Sk 65Round Mouthful
Pāli / Sanskrit:Parimaṇḍala
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Interpretation of the Parimaṇḍala Sutta (Round Mouthful)
Context
The Parimaṇḍala Sutta is an account within the Vinaya Piṭaka of Early Buddhism, specifically among the rules concerning the conduct of monks and nuns. This work reflects the profound concern of Early Buddhist Dharma for the smallest details of monastic life, from the way of eating to the daily actions of bhikkhus.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha Gotama entered nirvana, in order to record the precepts and the events related to members of the Sangha. The Parimaṇḍala Sutta belongs to the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the analysis of the precepts for bhikkhunīs, reflecting the historical context in which female monastics were first recognized by the Buddha and given standards of conduct.
Main Content
The Parimaṇḍala Sutta concerns regulations on eating, especially the shape and manner of receiving food. The title “Round Mouthful” (Parimaṇḍala) suggests a rounded, even form, a symbol of balance, completeness, and discipline. The content of this text states that bhikkhunīs must observe certain forms when receiving food, including the manner of chewing, swallowing, and related actions.
These regulations arose from specific incidents in the early community of monks and nuns, when the Buddha or senior disciples observed actions that were undignified or lacking in proper standards during meals. Vinaya texts such as this are not arbitrary restrictions, but expressions of an awareness of cultivation in every moment, developing full attention (mindfulness) in all activities.
Practical Meaning
Although this text speaks about small details, it carries deep meaning for applying the Buddha Dharma in life. According to the Theravāda tradition, every action is an opportunity to cultivate sati, clear mindfulness, and sampajañña, clear comprehension.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.