Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pd 7Asking for Meat

THE DISCOURSE ON ASKING FOR MEAT (MAṀSAVIÑÑĀPANA)

Background

The Discourse on Asking for Meat is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically among the rules governing the way of life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs within the Saṅgha community. This is an important section of the Vinaya pertaining to compassion and respect toward other living beings, particularly how Buddhists should approach the consumption of food.

This context arises when bhikkhus are asked about or directly request meat from others, or when someone wishes to offer meat to the Saṅgha. The Blessed One Gotama established clear principles on this matter, with the aim of minimizing harm to innocent living beings while still maintaining the humble way of life in which bhikkhus depend upon offerings from the community.

Main Content

According to the Early Vinaya Piṭaka, when bhikkhus are permitted to consume meat, they must not actively ask for meat (maṁsaviññāpana) from others. This means that a bhikkhu should not go to a restaurant, a market, or anywhere else to request that a meat-seller prepare meat for him.

This fundamental principle rests upon the three conditions of "pure meat" (tisavisuddha-maṁsa): the meat must come from an animal that was not killed at the direct request of the bhikkhu; the bhikkhu must not have witnessed the killing; and the bhikkhu must not have heard that the animal was killed on his behalf.

If a bhikkhu actively makes a request (viññāpana, meaning "to indicate" or "to request"), whether by word or by sign, that meat becomes impure. This means the bhikkhu should not eat it, since his action directly led to the killing. This rule applies to all kinds of meat: fowl, fish, four-footed animals, or any other kind whatsoever.