Lzh Mu Bi Pm Sk 50Round Mouthful

Exposition of the Parimaṇḍala Sutra (Round Mouth)

Background

The Parimaṇḍala Sutra is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, belonging to the Early Buddhist Theravāda tradition. These are regulations concerning monastic discipline, transmitted by the Buddha or by Sangha teachers in order to discipline the actions, speech, and mind of those who have gone forth. The Vinaya Piṭaka is divided into three major parts: the Sutta Vibhaṅga (rules and detailed analysis), the Khandaka (chapters on communal regulations), and the Parivāra (appendix).

The Parimaṇḍala Sutra arises from the context of managing the daily life of the Sangha. The title “Round Mouth” (Parimaṇḍala) suggests content related to eating, drinking, or an action having a circular or complete character. In the monastic context, this may refer to the way food is used or material property is managed in a manner consistent with humility and avoidance of waste.

Main Content

In the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, Parimaṇḍala defines limitations and gives guidance on how a monastic should interact with property and food. The purpose is not excessive restriction, but education in mindfulness (sampajañña) and freedom from attachment to harmful desires.

Specifically, this sutra may relate to such matters as shaping food in ways that may cause astonishment or spoilage, or to uses not in keeping with the spirit of a renunciant. The Vinaya advises monastics to eat and drink with self-awareness, without excessive delight in taste, shape, or quantity of food. This is directly connected with sīla, one of the three pillars of Early Buddhist practice: morality, concentration, and wisdom.

The Parimaṇḍala Sutra also reflects a basic principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka: “enough is sufficient” (atittha). Bhikkhus should use material things only to the extent needed to maintain health and the capacity to practice, not to satisfy sensual feeling.

Practical Meaning

The Parimaṇḍala Sutra carries deep meaning in modern monastic life.