Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Sk 67Overlarge Mouthful

THE SCRIPTURE ON NOT EATING WITH AN OVERLARGE MOUTHFUL

Background

The Nātimahanta scripture (Nāti-mahanta, meaning “overlarge mouthful”) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma. It is one of the admonitions the Buddha proclaimed in order to guide bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in daily life, especially in eating. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a mechanical code of prohibitions, but the Buddha’s instruction on discipline, courteous conduct, and respect for the Sangha community.

In the context of monastic life in Theravāda Buddhist monasteries, sharing a meal is an important communal activity. Every action in this process carries spiritual meaning. The Nātimahanta scripture was established by the Buddha to correct unskillful conduct in the way some bhikkhus ate, thereby elevating the spirit of self-training and communal awareness.

Main Content

The Nātimahanta scripture instructs bhikkhus not to eat with an overlarge mouthful (nātimahanta). This is not an absolute prohibition against eating food, but an instruction on eating in a manner appropriate to the nature of one gone forth. A bhikkhu who eats with an overly large mouthful may easily fall into undesirable conditions: eating hastily, poor digestion, choking, or even being unable to speak when necessary.

This action also reflects a lack of care and a lack of respect for food and for those around one. In the Theravāda tradition, eating is not merely the satisfaction of physiological need, but also a human form of practice. Each mouthful is considered with mindfulness (sati) and right wisdom (sammā-paññā).

This scripture is one of the small yet deeply meaningful regulations of the Buddha-Dharma. It proves that the Buddha paid attention to every aspect of the life of practice, even matters that seem most ordinary.