Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 39Eating Unoffered Food
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dantapona
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
DANTAPONA DISCOURSE - EATING FOOD NOT YET OFFERED
Background
This rule is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code for bhikkhunīs. Dantapona means “teeth,” or more broadly “things not offered or prepared for the Sangha.”
The historical picture shows that after the Buddha allowed bhikkhunīs to go for alms, certain issues arose in relation to receiving food. This rule was laid down to protect purity in the almsgoing way of life and to build trust between the Sangha and the lay community. The nature of the regulation is not to prohibit eating, but to ensure that the food received has been offered (pariccinna) in a lawful and clear manner.
Main Content
The Dantapona rule states that a bhikkhunī should not eat food that the owner or donor has not clearly set aside for the purpose of offering to the Sangha. This includes cases such as forgotten food, food left in a house when no one has expressed an intention to offer it, or food for which there is no clear evidence of intention from the owner.
This rule emphasizes the principle of “offering” (pariccinna), that is, conscious acceptance from the giver. A bhikkhunī must be certain that the food has been designated for the Sangha by action, speech, or a clear sign from the owner. If there is any doubt, the bhikkhunī must ask permission or clarify the intention before using it.
Violation of this rule is classified as a Pācittiya offense — a fault requiring public acknowledgement and confession. This shows the seriousness the Vinaya Piṭaka gives to this matter: it is not the gravest offense, but it must still be handled properly according to the communal procedure of the Sangha.
🌏 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.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.