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Early Schools · Comparative Canon · Comparative Vinaya — Chinese

Lzh Mu Bi Vb Sk 42Even Measure of Curry

Pāli / Sanskrit:Samasūpaka

📖314 words · ~1 min read
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Interpreted by Inti AI (English)
🪷 AI interpretation

The Samasūpaka Sutra — The Rule on Dividing Curry Equally

Background

The Samasūpaka Sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, an important part of the Theravāda scriptures. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of rules for practice and for governing the community of monks and nuns, established by the Buddha to maintain harmony, discipline, and the spirit of sharing in the Sangha.

This sutra is found in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the analysis of the rules for nuns, and gives specific instructions on how nuns should practice communal life in the monastery. The title "Samasūpaka" (dividing curry equally) reflects the spirit of fairness and equality in the community of practice. This is not a pārājika prohibition or a grave offense, but belongs to the regulations concerning mutual ethics and the common good.

The occasion for this sutra arose in the daily life of the Sangha when there was unfairness in the division of food, especially curry or other shared dishes. Disputes over how portions were divided could give rise to conflict, rivalry, and the breaking of unity. Therefore, the Buddha gave clear guidance to protect fairness and the spiritual practice.

Main Content

The Samasūpaka Sutra stipulates that when curry or other shared dishes are divided for the community, they must be divided equally, without favoritism or discrimination. The core principle is that each person, regardless of status, age, or merit, deserves to receive a fair share of food.

This rule is not merely an outward matter of portioning food. Rather, it reflects deep teachings on equality, compassion, and freedom from self-interest. In the community of practice, there is no distinction of status among members with regard to their fundamental human worth. All are people seeking liberation from suffering.

When someone violates this rule by intentionally showing favoritism or dividing portions unfairly, they must recognize the fault and correct it.

🌏Why is this sūtra summarized by Inti AI?

🌏 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.

Translation source: Interpreted by AILicense: VI: bản tóm lược AI · EN: AI translation from Vietnamese source, awaiting source English

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