Lzh Mu Bi Vb Ss 4Receiving Food With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Avassutā avassutassa
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Explanation of the Avassutā Avassutassa Sutta
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, where the rules of practice and discipline for bhikkhus are recorded in detail. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, issues related to the daily life of bhikkhus are carefully examined, including the manner of receiving food and the practice of eating. This sutta addresses a specific situation in which there is inattention (avassutā) or lack of collectedness while receiving food.
In the Theravāda tradition, full awareness (sampajañña) and mindfulness (sati) are considered basic factors of practice. Eating and drinking are not for satisfying craving (tṛṣṇā), but for maintaining health in service of the path of practice. Therefore, when a bhikkhu receives food with the mind moved by desire or lacking mindfulness, this violates the spirit of the Vinaya.
Main Content
The title “Avassutā Avassutassa” relates to the condition of a bhikkhu receiving food with an inattentive mind or a mind governed by desire (rāga). The word “avassutā” means “inattentive, unalert,” while “avassutassa” refers to that inattentive person.
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, when a bhikkhu receives a portion of food, the mind must be maintained in a state of mindfulness and collectedness. One should not receive food out of desire for strange and delicious flavors or from judgments about types of food. Food is regarded as medicine (bhesajja) for sustaining life, not for satisfying sensory inclinations. If a bhikkhu receives food with the mind governed by desire for pleasure, this is considered a violation of the principle of practice.
The Vinaya Piṭaka records that receiving food with an inattentive heart can lead to spiritual and ethical decline. This violates the basic principles of a bhikkhu, especially the principle of practicality and guarding the sense faculties (indriya-saṃvara).
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