Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pd 7Asking for Honey

Explanation of the Madhuviññāpana Sutta (Asking for Honey)

Background

The Madhuviññāpana Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the rules of training for bhikkhunīs. It is not a doctrinal discourse but a detailed legal text, recording specific situations that occurred in the monastic community during the Buddha’s lifetime and helping bhikkhunīs understand the boundaries of the precepts.

Background of its arising: In the early period of the Buddha-Dharma, some female monastics encountered issues related to asking for honey. Honey was regarded as nourishing food, but the manner of asking for and using it gave rise to disciplinary questions. The Buddha and the great disciples found a lawful way of handling the matter so that bhikkhunīs could obtain necessary nourishment while preserving the discipline and purity of the Saṅgha.

Main Content

This discourse deals with a specific situation: some bhikkhunīs directly asked for honey from those able to provide it, or sent word through others. According to the principles of Theravāda Vinaya, bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs are not to request food or requisites directly and personally for themselves. Instead, support should arise from the voluntary generosity of benefactors (upāsaka/upāsikā) or through the lawful steward of the community.

The specific question is: is asking for honey directly or through an intermediary considered proper? The Buddha prescribed that if bhikkhunīs ask for honey in an intimate or familiar manner from certain benefactors, or remember and remind them, this has an aspect of violating the rule concerning the economic independence and dignity of one gone forth.

The solution: bhikkhunīs may indicate needs or health-related difficulties to stewards, such as a kappiya attendant or community servant, but they may not themselves ask or emphasize personal benefit. If benefactors voluntarily bring honey, that is accepted.