Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pc 39Eating Unoffered Food
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dantapona
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The Sutta on Eating Food Not Offered
A Brief Translation from the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
This rule is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, which preserves the training rules of the Buddhist monastic community. Dantapona, or “food not offered,” refers to a fault in the practice of the discipline by monastic disciples. The context arose when the Buddha discovered that some monastics had eaten food that had not been properly offered for the purpose of practice or sustenance, and without the approval of the community.
In the Theravāda tradition, eating by those gone forth is governed by very specific principles. Food is considered “properly offered” when it is voluntarily given by faithful donors with the wish to support monastics in their practice. Conversely, “unoffered” food refers to things taken without permission, or acquired in ways inconsistent with the discipline.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Buddha established the principle that monastics practicing the alms life (bhikkhu) should not eat food that has not been properly offered. This may fall under Pārājika, grave offenses, or Pācittiya, lighter offenses, depending on the degree and context of the act.
The rule teaches that when a monastic eats food that the owner has not voluntarily offered, or takes food without asking permission, this violates the discipline. The Buddha emphasized that morality (sīla) is the foundation of practice, and proper eating is an important part of it. Offered food is an expression of the faith of supporters, and using it improperly shows disrespect for their sacrifice.
The specific regulations include: not eating food taken from prohibited areas, not eating “defiled” food, meaning food unsuitable or improperly prepared, and not eating in circumstances where a monastic has no right to enjoy it.
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