Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Sk 64Overlarge Mouthful

Nātimahanta Sutta (The Sutta on an Overlarge Mouthful)

Background

The Nātimahanta Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Pāli Canon, the section of rules of practice for the community of monks and nuns. The Vinaya Piṭaka records instructive stories of the Buddha related to offenses, repentance, and principles for preserving discipline in the Sangha.

This sutta recounts a specific event in the process by which the Buddha established rules for the Sangha. The monks at that time did not yet have clear guidance concerning the finer points of dignity in eating and appropriate conduct in accordance with the holy life. This sutta records a case concerning eating in a manner unsuitable to monastic discipline, specifically swallowing too much food at one time.

The stories in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not abstract theories but concrete situations, helping disciples understand clearly the spirit of the precepts and how to apply them in actual practice.

Main Content

The Nātimahanta Sutta reflects a basic principle in Buddhist discipline: moderation and dignity. The title means "overlarge mouthful" (nāti = too much, mahanta = large), referring to eating without restraint. The Buddha instructs that monks and nuns should not swallow an excessively large quantity of food at one time, because this not only causes physical inconvenience but also reflects a spirit of greed and lack of self-mastery.

According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this action may be regarded as a minor offense or an unsuitable practice (dukkara), depending on the circumstances. What matters is that the Buddha did not impose a total prohibition on eating, but instructed a balanced and dignified way of eating, neither overly greedy nor overly harsh.

This rule belongs within the context of the Pātimokkha or the Pācittiya rules, matters that monks need to correct in order to preserve discipline and respect for human life.