San Lo Bi Vb Sk 40Slurping
Pāli / Sanskrit:Surusurukāraka
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Explanation of the Surusurukāraka Sutta (The Sutta on the Sound of Drawing in Liquid)
Background
The Surusurukāraka Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection regulating ethical rules and discipline in the Buddhist Sangha. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the foundation that protects the purity of the Sangha body and the celibate practitioner.
This sutta concerns small but noteworthy behaviors when consuming food and drink. Specifically, "Surusurukāraka" (or Slurping) refers to the sound of drawing in water or drink loudly and impolitely. Though at first it may seem a trivial detail, the Buddha and his disciples considered it important because it is directly related to discipline, self-mastery, and respect within the community of practice.
This context arose when bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs frequently made strong strange sounds while eating or drinking, distracting others who were practicing, or creating an impression lacking in dignity. The Buddha saw that this action needed to be corrected in order to maintain the elegance and proper standard of the place of practice.
Main Content
In this sutta, the Buddha gives specific instructions on how to eat and drink properly. Drawing in water or drink with a loud sound is considered conduct unsuitable to the nature of a bhikkhu’s practice. The sutta does not condemn, but clearly instructs how it should be done:
When drinking water or other beverages, the practitioner should be self-controlled, quiet, and not make loud noises. This reflects a basic principle in the Vinaya Piṭaka: every action of a bhikkhu should be performed with mindfulness (sati) and clear awareness (sampajañña). Especially in the context of communal living or mindful eating, the practitioner should be aware that food is provided to maintain the health needed for practicing the Buddha-Dharma, not to satisfy the sense faculties.
The sutta also makes clear that this conduct can affect others. In a community of practice, mental concentration is very precious.
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