Lzh Mu Bi Vb Sk 61Stuffing Cheeks

The Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutra (Rule on Stuffing the Cheeks)

Background

The Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutra is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Suttavibhaṅga, the section giving detailed explanation of the precepts for monks and nuns. This is a sutra of the Pāli Canon in the Theravāda tradition, reflecting specific regulations for Sangha life in the time of the Buddha.

The title "Avagaṇḍakāraka" (stuffing the cheeks) refers to behavior related to eating or bodily conduct. In the monastic context, such details are not small matters; they reflect the basic principle of restraining the indriya (the sense faculties), managing the body, and maintaining the calm and appearance appropriate to a practitioner of the Buddha-Dharma.

The regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka were formed from specific events in the history of the Sangha. The Buddha did not establish precepts out of nowhere, but gave instructions that proved necessary through real situations encountered by monastics.

Main Content

This sutra deals with a matter of conduct at the eating place or during a meal. The behavior of "stuffing the cheeks" (avagaṇḍa), that is, filling both cheeks or eating in an excessive and unmindful way, is considered inappropriate to the dress and attitude of a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī.

According to the Theravāda tradition, a practitioner should not act in an overly exposed or uncontrolled way, especially when eating before laypeople or within the community. Eating with restraint, slowly and mindfully, is part of the dhamma-vinaya, the Buddhist Dharma and discipline, intended to maintain respect and mindfulness (sati).

This rule is not meant to restrict those who need to eat more for the sake of health, but to show that attitude and manner are more important than quantity. A bhikkhu should eat consciously, knowing that one eats to maintain life, not to satisfy desire for taste.

This sutra also reflects the principle of moderation (majjhimā paṭipadā, the middle path) taught by the Buddha.