Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 76Raw Grain

Sutta on Raw Grain (Āmakadhañña)

Background

The Sutta on Raw Grain is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the voluntary code belonging to the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This is a Pācittiya rule, that is, a wrongful act requiring confession or repentance when violated.

At that time, the Buddha was teaching at Sāvatthī or in the surrounding regions. The resident bhikkhus were practicing according to the rule of alms-seeking, eating only one meal before noon, but in the context of ancient Indian agriculture, a question arose: what is suitable conduct when faced with foods that have not been fully prepared?

In particular, “raw grain” (āmakadhañña) here means wheat or cereal grains not yet cooked, not yet milled into flour. According to the monastic rule, bhikkhus are not to cultivate or harvest with their own hands, because this violates the spirit of non-harming and non-attachment to property. But if they receive these foods as offerings, may they use them?

Main Content

The Sutta on Raw Grain addresses the ethical issue of bhikkhus receiving or eating uncooked grain or rice. The Buddha established that bhikkhus should not ask for or gather raw grain from granaries. This act is considered to tend toward greed (lolupa) and indirect participation in the production of agricultural goods.

However, if raw grain is voluntarily offered by lay people, a bhikkhu must handle it properly: he may ask a supporter to cook or prepare it before eating. The key point is that he must not take direct part in processing or harvesting it.

If a bhikkhu violates this rule, that is, if he intentionally receives, asks for, or eats raw grain without proper preparation, he commits a Pācittiya offense, requiring him to disclose it to another bhikkhu and perform confession or repentance in order to restore discipline.