Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 33Accepting Two or Three Bowls Full
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dvittipattapūrapaṭiggahaṇa
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Dvittipattapūrapaṭiggahaṇa Discourse
On Accepting Two or Three Bowls Full
Background
This discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of early Buddhism, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code. It is one of the regulations related to eating behavior and the manner in which bhikkhus receive food within the Sangha community.
The historical background shows that during the Buddha’s lifetime, bhikkhus lived by receiving alms from laypeople. This was an important part of the practice of liberation, intended to remove ambition and attachment to material needs. However, to maintain discipline and diligence in practice, the Buddha established many rules concerning how food should be accepted. The Dvittipattapūrapaṭiggahaṇa discourse is one such regulation, intended to prevent greed and laxity during almsround.
Main Content
The discourse says that bhikkhus should not accept more than two or three full bowls of food. This regulation has a deep meaning related to restraining craving for food and maintaining purity in practice.
The rule may be understood in this way: when receiving food from laypeople, a bhikkhu should accept only enough to maintain health and continue practice. Receiving too much is not only greed, but also violates the spirit of the Pātimokkha, the discipline of the mind within the early monastic lineage. “Two or three bowls” here is not an absolute number, but a symbol of moderation and purpose.
This rule is also connected with other acts of laxity (thullaccaya, a fault lighter than pārājika or sikkhāpadajjhāna). It reflects the principle of the middle way (majjhimā paṭipadā) taught by the Buddha, avoiding extremes both in self-mortification and in excess.
Practical Meaning
In the context of early Buddhist practice today, this discourse applies not only to bhikkhus but also offers guidance to all who follow the Buddha Dharma. Its deeper meaning concerns self-control before the impulses of craving.
🌏 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.