Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pd 4Asking for Butter

The Sutra on Asking for Butter (Asking for Butter)

Background

This sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli Canon, the field that records the rules of practice and discipline of the Buddhist Sangha. Specifically, it is part of the Pātimokkha, the prohibitions that all bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must preserve. The Sutra on Asking for Butter records a specific situation that arose in the life of practice during the time of the Buddha Gotama, used to illustrate the principles of self-mastery, subtlety in observing the precepts, and the management of daily requisites in the Sangha community.

The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a dry legal code, but a set of practical instructions reflecting the Buddha’s wisdom in educating disciples so that they may live in harmony, discipline, and liberation. Each rule has an origin story (Apadāna) explaining why it was established.

Main Content

The specific content of the Sutra on Asking for Butter has not been fully translated in this document, but according to the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, matters concerning the asking for foods such as butter (often ghee, fat used as cooking oil in ancient Indian cuisine) are generally treated under the following aspects:

Concerning the practice of heedfulness (Appamāda): Bhikkhus should not desire or request requisites beyond actual need. Asking for butter or other especially nourishing foods may be regarded as an expression of unrestrained desire.

Concerning propriety and subtlety (Sampadānuyoga): Requests for food should be considered in the context of the community. If a bhikkhu is ill or weakened, asking for nutritious foods is reasonable; but if it is done merely out of craving, it violates the spirit of practice.

Concerning respect for conditions (Sammā-ājīva): The Vinaya Piṭaka teaches the proper way to interact with laypeople and the general population, without abusing their compassion through excessive requests.