Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 83Covering With Rice
Pāli / Sanskrit:Odanappaṭicchādana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Odanappaṭicchādana Sutta (Covering Rice)
Background
The Odanappaṭicchādana Sutta (Covering Rice) is a rule belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Pāṭimokkha, the basic code of the Buddhist Sangha. This discourse is recorded in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, reflecting the instruction of Buddha Shakyamuni on practical matters in the collective life of practice.
The content of this discourse arose from a specific situation: Bhikkhus, male renunciants in the Buddha’s time, were permitted to eat savory foods or special foods that had been covered. However, because disputes or abuses arose among some monastics, the Buddha established a rule concerning how to handle food, especially rice (odana), a traditional food widely eaten.
This discourse is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection governing collective discipline. The rules in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not irrational impositions, but practical instructions intended to maintain purity, harmony, and mental focus in the Sangha community.
Main Content
According to the Pāli Canon tradition, the Odanappaṭicchādana Sutta states that Bhikkhus should not cover rice, or cooked foods, with unsuitable items, and should not allow rice to be defiled by dishonest actions. In particular, this discourse is related to the principle of “unwholesome custom,” not practicing ways that lack straightforwardness or ethics.
This rule has many dimensions. First, it emphasizes respect for food, which is a gift from the community and from lay donors. Covering rice appropriately symbolizes preserving the sacred within daily matters. Second, this rule reflects the principle of “moderantia” (moderation): one should not abuse food or treat it with contempt.
This discourse also suggests standards of purity (saucha) and personal discipline.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.