Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 23Eating at the Wrong Time

The Vikālabhojana Scripture — Eating at the Wrong Time

Background

The Vikālabhojana scripture (eating at the wrong time) lies in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code for Theravāda Buddhist monastics. This scripture is one of the training rules related to restraining desires through the practice of regulating eating, an important field in the life of practice of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.

The regulation concerning the time for eating arises from the basic principles of liberation in Theravāda Buddhism. The Buddha did not forbid eating completely, but taught his disciples to manage eating mindfully and reasonably, in order to reduce craving and create favorable conditions for meditative cultivation. The regulation “not eating at the wrong time” (vikālabhojana) is part of the Pācittiya rules, offenses requiring confession and observance in the Vinaya Piṭaka.

Main Content

According to the Pāli Canon tradition, the basic regulation is that bhikkhus must not eat solid food (bhatta) after noon until dawn the next day. The time for main meals is defined as from before dawn until the end of midday, around noon. Outside this time, monastics are permitted to drink liquids such as orange juice, fruit juices, oil, or other liquids to sustain the body, but not to eat solid food.

A noteworthy point is that this regulation is not absolute when there are special cases such as a sick person needing food, or an invitation from householders practicing the path for the purpose of making merit. However, the main principle remains that violations are to be openly declared, since this is a Pācittiya, an offense requiring public apology before the assembly.

The deeper reason for this regulation is not to punish or cause hardship, but to help monastics reduce craving for food, avoid delighting in the seasoning and flavors, and devote the afternoon and evening to practices such as recollection, scripture recitation, or meditation.