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Pāli / Sanskrit:Kabaḷāvacchedaka
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Kabaḷāvacchedaka Sutta (Cutting Into Pieces)
Background
Kabaḷāvacchedaka is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma, belonging to the Bhikkhu Pāṭimokkha, the discipline that monks must respectfully observe. The Vinaya Piṭaka was composed to protect the Sangha and the renunciants themselves, helping them be diligent in the path of practice without being distracted by ordinary worldly matters.
Kabaḷa (কবল) means a morsel of food, a lump of rice, or things divided into portions. The word vacchedaka denotes what is cut apart or distinguished. The Kabaḷāvacchedaka Sutta teaches how monks should properly receive and use food, especially offerings, in accordance with the discipline.
These regulations were established by the Buddha Gotama when he saw monks in the Sangha acting improperly in handling food, thereby causing disorder in the community and undermining the trust of the outside community.
Main Content
The Kabaḷāvacchedaka Sutta sets out in detail the kinds of conduct related to food that monks should avoid. In particular, the principal rules concern not eating and drinking greedily, not letting food fall and be wasted, and not using food in undignified ways.
The discipline states that when monks receive food as an offering, they must be clearly aware that it is the trust of the people, the fruit of their labor and loving-kindness. Therefore, receiving it must be done properly: it must not be wasted, nor eaten heedlessly or greedily, for that would be an offense against the loving-kindness of the donor.
Restraint in eating and drinking also helps monks train in the mind of fewness of wishes (Appacinatayā). One who has gone forth should not allow himself to be governed by pleasures of eating and drinking, for this would cause the mind to fall into sensual desire and grow distant from awakening.
Practical Meaning
Kabaḷāvacchedaka is not merely a set of formal rules, but also a profound lesson in mindful living.
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