Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 40Asking for Fine Foods
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paṇītabhojana
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Discourse on Asking for Fine Foods (Paṇītabhojana)
Background
The Discourse on Asking for Fine Foods is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the recitation of the Pātimokkha. This is a disciplinary regulation in the Pācittiya class, offenses that require acknowledgement and confession. The discourse appears in the context of the simple life of bhikkhus in the Buddha’s time.
According to the Theravāda tradition, bhikkhus must observe regulations regarding food with humility and a mind free from greed. In the early period of the Dispensation, some bhikkhus began to ask food providers for rare and delicious foods (paṇīta — refined, superior foods), thereby violating the spirit of austerity and non-craving for material things. This caused criticism from Buddhist laypeople and harmed the reputation of the Sangha.
Main Content
This regulation states that a bhikkhu is not permitted to request or ask for delicious foods that are not ordinary foods. If a bhikkhu, without being invited, asks food providers for special foods such as butter, oil, honey, fish, or meat, or even asks someone else to request them on his behalf, that act is a Pācittiya offense.
This fault is regarded as violating the spirit of going forth (pabbajjā) and the basic vows. Although the matter may seem small, in the practice philosophy of Theravāda Buddhism, such small actions reflect the inner state: greed and material desire.
Asking for rare foods also creates a burden for lay supporters, causes economic difficulty, and diminishes public confidence in the Sangha when people see monks not living in accordance with the image of abandoning sensual desires.
Meaning for Practice
The Discourse on Asking for Fine Foods teaches us the true spirit of going forth and practice.
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