Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 69Round Mouthful

Parimaṇḍala Sutta - The Round Portion of Rice

Background

The Parimaṇḍala Sutta (The Round Portion of Rice) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, one of the most important parts of the Early Buddhist Dharma. The Vinaya Piṭaka not only regulates rules for monks and nuns, but also reflects everyday situations encountered by the Buddha and the way he handled them with compassion and wisdom.

This discourse is recorded in the context of the Buddha instructing the Sangha on how to behave with food, especially rice, in the daily life of practice. The choice of the description “parimaṇḍala” (round/properly formed) is not accidental; it reflects a deep principle of balance, moderation, and healthfulness in Buddhist practice. This context helps us understand that the Buddha-Dharma is not abstract theory, but concrete guidance for life.

Main Content

The Parimaṇḍala Sutta teaches the proper way to receive and use food. The word “parimaṇḍala” (proper, fitting, rounded) points to not being excessive in any respect. For monks and nuns, rice, an essential part of life, should not be regarded for enjoyment or the satisfaction of taste, but as a need for maintaining health in order to study and practice the Dharma.

This discourse emphasizes that when receiving food, the practitioner must have mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension (sampajañña). One should not eat to excess, should not let food become an object of craving, and should not refuse what is appropriate to the point of weakening the body. The Middle Way (majjhimā paṭipadā) is clearly expressed through this simple action: eating moderately, enough to nourish practice, not eating for sensual pleasure.

In addition, the discourse suggests that this “fitting” selection applies to the whole process, from receiving food, to eating, to serving and sharing with fellow practitioners. All of it is related to training the mind, helping monks and nuns not fall into sensual indulgence or excessive asceticism.