Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pd 6Asking for Fish

The Sutta on Asking for Fish (Macchaviññāpana)

Background

The Sutta on Asking for Fish is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha Desanā, the section on prohibited matters. The background of the text comes from the early period of the Buddhist Sangha, when bhikkhus were still learning how to live in accordance with the spirit of the teaching. This was the period when the monastic codes (Bhikkhunī Vinaya and Bhikkhu Vinaya) were being established to maintain the ethics and order of the practice community.

This text is recounted in the typical style of the Vinaya Piṭaka, beginning with a formulaic opening and ending with the Buddha's promulgation of a prohibitive rule. The specific background concerns the improper conduct of some bhikkhus in asking for food or other daily material needs.

Main Content

The content of this text records a situation in which bhikkhus asked for fish or requested laypeople to provide fish for them. Although fish is a kind of food that may be consumed and is not directly forbidden, actively asking for a specific kind of food is regarded as inconsistent with the attitude of "accepting the food that is given" (piṇḍapātikangga).

The basic principle in the pure Vinaya of bhikkhus is that they should accept whatever food they receive from faithful people, and should not specify or request particular items. The act of "asking for fish" is regarded as a violation of this principle because it shows delight in specific foods and attachment to taste.

After the Buddha learned of these actions, he criticized them as unsuitable for the conduct of a bhikkhu. From that time, the Buddha established a rule prohibiting bhikkhus from actively requesting or asking for specific kinds of food. A violation of this prohibition is recorded as an offense (Saṅghādisesa or an equivalent level of fault).