Upp Sk 34Round Mouthful
Pāli / Sanskrit:Parimaṇḍala
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The Parimaṇḍala Sutta (Round Mouthful)
Background
The Parimaṇḍala Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, and is a small part of the detailed system of discipline in the Theravāda tradition. This is not a major Dharma discourse (Sutta), but a specific rule prescribed for the practice life of bhikkhus, monastics who have fully gone forth.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is the first division of the "Three Baskets" (Tripiṭaka) of Theravāda Buddhism, recorded in Pāli. It is not merely a set of dry rules of conduct, but the expression of noble ethical principles intended to support the diligent process of practice for bhikkhus. Each rule has its story and historical context, when the Buddha Gotama gave the command to establish it in order to address specific situations arising in the Sangha.
Main Content
The Parimaṇḍala Sutta relates to the rule on receiving alms, the way a bhikkhu accepts food from compassionate laypeople. Specifically, this rule prescribes that when a bhikkhu receives a portion of rice from a donor, the rim of the bowl should be kept in a "round" (parimaṇḍala) condition, meaning that the rice should not be piled excessively high and the area around the rim should not be wet or soiled.
Although this rule may seem minor, it reflects the principle of careful, respectful, and moderate living (samati). When a bhikkhu is careful in receiving alms, this shows respect for the merit of the lay donor's offering, as well as self-control in the process of eating, a basic activity that can easily give rise to craving (taṇhā) if not watched over.
In the context of practice, receiving alms is not merely a means of livelihood, but also an occasion to train the five faculties (indriya), especially the faculty of faith (saddhā), the faculty of energy (viriya), and the faculty of mindfulness (sati). A bhikkhu must maintain mindfulness when receiving rice, paying attention to the way he receives it, so as not to create favorable conditions for unnecessary preferences.
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