Lzh Mu Bi Vb Sk 43Eating in Order
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sapadāna
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THE SUTRA ON EATING IN ORDER (SAPADĀNA)
Background
The Sapadāna Sutra is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection of scriptures that prescribes the disciplinary rules for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the Buddhist Sangha. Specifically, it belongs to the Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga, the detailed rules for bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the foundation of Sangha discipline, composed from the time when the Buddha was still alive and developed according to the rules of the community.
This sutra was established in the context of the Buddha teaching bhikkhus how to eat in a way appropriate to the spirit of practice. It is not because of unreasonable sectarian concerns, but because eating in an orderly and mindful way is an expression of respect for the practice of the Buddha's Dharma. Self-control in daily actions such as eating and drinking is an important part of the life of renunciation and of building a purified mind.
Main Content
Sapadāna means "in order, orderly" (sapadāna: sa = together/with, padāna = order, sequence). This sutra stipulates that bhikkhus must eat and drink according to a definite order, respecting those who serve the food and respecting the meal itself.
Specifically, when eating, a bhikkhu should follow these rules: not abusing food, not eating carelessly, not hoarding or wasting it. Eating should be done with mindfulness (sati), knowing that food is for maintaining the body in order to practice the Dharma, not for satisfying desire. A bhikkhu should eat with dignity, not engaging in useless talk, laughing frivolously, or performing disrespectful actions at the eating place.
This sutra also refers to respect for those who serve the food, whether relatives, devoted donors, or attendants of the community. A bhikkhu must show respect by eating in a proper manner and not making the server anxious or ashamed because of his conduct.
Practical Meaning
The deep meaning of Sapadāna lies in recognizing that every action, even things that seem small like eating and drinking, is an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and discipline.
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