San Lo Bi Vb Pd 5Asking for Milk

EXPLANATION OF THE KHĪRAVIÑÑĀPANA SUTTA (Asking for Milk)

Background

The Khīraviññāpana Sutta is recorded in the Sanlohavibhanga of the Vinaya Piṭaka, belonging to the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This sutta arose from specific situations in the early monastic community, when the Buddha needed to set down rules for living together in order to maintain discipline and harmony.

According to the historical context, monks in the Buddha’s time usually lived by alms received from the community of devotees. The food provided was not always sufficiently nourishing for practice. Animal milk was regarded as an important food, helping to nourish a weakened body or support recovery of health. However, asking for milk needed to be reasonably regulated so as not to build dependence on material benefits, and also to respect the precepts concerning the use of food.

This sutta records the Buddha’s guidance on how monks and nuns may ask for milk appropriately according to the law, without violating the foundational principles of the Sangha.

Main Content

Khīraviññāpana is a Pāli term indicating “making known or asking” (viññāpana) for “milk” (khīra). This sutta concerns regulations on the procedure for asking for milk in the monastic community, a matter that seems small but bears great meaning for discipline and mental intention.

According to the Vinaya, monks cannot freely request special foods without informing the community or receiving permission from the leaders of the Sangha. Asking for milk must be done truthfully and humbly, without using deceitful or manipulative means. This ensures that asking for food is truly an act of alms-seeking, not a demand for personal benefits.

The sutta also gives guidance on valid situations in which a monk may ask for milk, such as when the body is weak, when there is illness, or in other exceptional circumstances.