Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pd 9Asking for Meat

Maṁsaviññāpana Sutta (The Sutta on Asking for Meat)

Background

The Maṁsaviññāpana Sutta, Asking for Meat, belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the disciplinary portion of the Theravāda Buddhist canon, where the training rules of monastics are recorded. This text arose from a specific situation in the monastic community, when a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī wished to ask for meat to eat, but this manner of asking violated the principles of simplicity and the aspiration of a practitioner.

In the context of Theravāda Buddhism, monks and nuns live dependent on offerings from the lay community (upāsaka/upāsikā), but do not have the right to demand or choose specific kinds of food. The training rule is intended to nurture a mind free from greed, free from bargaining over food and clothing, and to educate compassion toward all beings.

Main Content

This text deals with the situation in which a monk or nun actively requests, suggests, or hints that lay disciples should prepare meat for him or her to eat. This conduct is regarded as a violation of the Pātimokkha, the basic code of monastic training. Specifically, it violates the principles of:

First, greed (lobha) in eating and drinking. A practitioner should accept whatever food is offered without discrimination or demand.

Second, infringement upon the free will of the donor (dāyaka). A lay disciple should make offerings voluntarily, not because of prompting or suggestion from a practitioner.

Third, violation of the principle of “not preparing especially fine food for oneself” (āthaggapaccayānissita). Monastics should live with minimal means, not strive to enhance the quality of material life.

The text states clearly that the act of “asking for meat,” whether through direct speech or implication (viññāpana), is prohibited. Even if a lay disciple voluntarily prepares meat, a monk or nun still may not direct or request this.

Practical Meaning

The Maṁsaviññāpana Sutta is not merely a rule about eating meat or not eating meat.