San Bu Pm Qizil Pc 39Eating Unoffered Food
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dantapona
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EXPOSITION OF THE DANTAPONA SUTTA (EATING FOOD NOT YET OFFERED)
Background
In the Vinaya Pitaka of the early tradition, the Dantapona Sutta is recorded to guide bhikkhus concerning disciplinary rules related to eating. This sutta arises from specific situations encountered by the Buddha in the course of establishing regulations for the Sangha. The word "dantapona" is explained as deriving from "dan" and "tapona," indicating food that has not been formally offered to the Sangha.
The historical background of this sutta is connected with the need to protect purity in the life of bhikkhus. The Buddha saw that if bhikkhus freely ate food that had not been offered, that is, food they bought themselves, cooked themselves, or received outside the rules, this could easily give rise to suspicion and accusations from non-practitioners, while also violating the principle of living dependent on offerings from laypeople.
Main Content
The Dantapona Sutta concerns Patimokkha rules stating that bhikkhus should not eat food that is not a formal offering. Offering (dana), in the spirit of the Buddhist Dharma, must be a voluntary and clear act by laypeople or by the community, not food that a renunciant takes for himself or purchases.
Prohibited situations include: eating food that a bhikkhu has bought with money; eating from shops without a clear offering; or eating food prepared for others without a formal transfer. The sutta also sets out exceptions, for example, if a bhikkhu is ill and no other offered food is available, or in special emergency circumstances.
Observing this rule is not a matter of greed or social avoidance, but respect for the principle of discipline within the Sangha. It helps bhikkhus maintain a proper relationship with lay donors and avoid criticism or loss of trust.
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