Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Sk 62Overlarge Mouthful
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nātimahanta
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The Nātimahanta Scripture - On an Overlarge Mouthful
Context
The Nātimahanta scripture (Overlarge Mouthful) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, belonging to the body of rules governing the monastic life of bhikkhunīs. The legal scriptures in the Pāli Canon not only set forth rules of conduct, but also recount the stories and reasons that gave rise to each rule.
This scripture was established according to the Early Buddhist tradition when the Buddha, the Bhagavā, saw that some bhikkhunīs did not observe diligence and were not careful in their gestures, especially in the way they ate. Taking too large a mouthful and swallowing too quickly was not only impolite, but also reflected a mind overly focused on enjoyment and lacking mindfulness (sati). This is contrary to the spirit of pure practice in the Sangha community.
Main Content
The scripture tells that there were bhikkhunīs who ate with overly large mouthfuls, without reflection, without restraint, chewing hurriedly as if filling the stomach were the sole purpose. This behavior caused many inconveniences: rice fell and scattered everywhere, affecting the concentration of others, and more importantly, it reflected a mind not yet trained and senses not yet mastered.
The Buddha then established a training rule (sikkhāpada) requiring all bhikkhunīs to be careful when eating: to chew small mouthfuls, steadily, take a moderate amount of rice into the mouth, and observe diligence and mindfulness. This was not to restrict eating, but to train the mind, so that female practitioners would learn to control sensations, the first steps on the path to realization.
This rule is also related to "indriya-samvara," restraint of the senses, an essential part of the discipline training (sīla) of a Buddhist monastic. When one eats without mindfulness, the mind easily falls into pleasure (sukha), gradually opening the way for craving (lobha) and delusion (moha) to prevail.
Practical Meaning
The Nātimahanta scripture teaches that Buddhist practice begins with the things that seem smallest.
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