Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 35Encouraging Another Monastic to Eat More After Refusing an Invitation

Discourse on Encouraging Another Bhikkhu to Eat More After Refusing an Invitation

Background

Dutiyapavāraṇā is a rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early Buddhist tradition, belonging to the Pātimokkha. This discourse concerns the foundation of monastic discipline for the Sangha, where every member must follow rules of conduct and a way of life appropriate to practice.

In the historical context, the Buddha Śākyamuni established these rules to protect the practice of the Dharma and maintain harmony in the monastic community. The prohibition against encouraging another bhikkhu to eat more after he has refused an invitation was formed to avoid actions that cause discord, show greed, or fail to respect another person’s decision.

Main Content

This rule states that a bhikkhu must not encourage, ask, or persuade another bhikkhu to eat more after that bhikkhu has refused an invitation to eat. In the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, “refusal” includes cases in which the bhikkhu clearly says, “I do not wish to eat,” or expresses the intention to refuse through action.

The prohibited conduct includes verbal persuasion, gestures with the hand, or other signs inviting someone to eat more, with the purpose of changing another monastic’s decision. The deeper reason for this rule is respect for the autonomy and self-determination of each individual monastic in regulating bodily needs.

If a bhikkhu violates this, he commits a Pācittiya, a light offense in the Theravāda classification of rules. This is not an extremely grave offense, but it still must be confessed (pārisuddhi) before the Sangha or before another bhikkhu in accordance with the rule.

Practical Meaning

This discourse teaches us three profound lessons. First, concerning respect for autonomy: each person, even in a monastery, has the right to decide what the body needs.