Upp Pc 36Eating More After Refusing an Invitation
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pavāraṇā
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Pavāraṇā Sutta: Eating More After Refusing an Invitation
Background
The Pavāraṇā Sutta (Upp Pc 36) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma. Its content concerns rules governing eating conduct for bhikkhus, fully ordained monks within the Sangha community.
Pavāraṇā means “refusal” or “restraint.” This text was spoken by the Buddha to guide his disciples in self-control regarding food. This is not an arbitrary rule, but an expression of the Pātimokkha, the protective vows of basic ethics that every bhikkhu must observe daily.
The background of this text arose from real events in the life of the Sangha. Bhikkhus often received invitations from laypeople to take meals. However, there were cases in which a bhikkhu initially declined an invitation, but later continued to eat more. This was considered inconsistent with the spirit of the Vinaya.
Main Content
The Pavāraṇā Sutta stipulates that if a bhikkhu has refused a householder’s invitation to eat (pavāraṇā, refusing hospitality), then afterward that bhikkhu should not eat additional portions from the same host in that same act of hospitality. In other words, the act of refusal should be consistent and disciplined.
This regulation reflects the principle of the noble practice, that Buddhists should have consistency among speech, intention, and action. When one refuses, one has judged that eating is unnecessary or unsuitable. Therefore, returning to continue eating would betray one’s own original decision.
The text is not meant to make matters difficult for bhikkhus, but to teach self-control and respect for the refusals that have been expressed.
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