San Mg Bu Pm Sk 47Washing Water With Rice
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sasitthaka
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Sasitthaka Sutta: Rinsing Water Containing Rice Grains
Background
The Sasitthaka Sutta, “Rinsing Water Containing Rice Grains,” is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Vinaya portion of the Pāli Canon, for the purpose of regulating the daily life of the community of monks and nuns. This is not a sutta on lofty theoretical doctrine, but a set of practical rules concerning personal hygiene and the use of resources in the monastery.
According to the Theravāda tradition, these rules (Vinaya) were established by the Buddha Gotama when he saw bhikkhus and bhikkhunis committing violations or causing disharmony in the monastic community. Each rule has a story (aniruddha-kathā) behind it, helping practitioners understand the spirit of the rule instead of following it mechanically.
Main Content
The Sasitthaka Sutta concerns the use of water for washing hands or rinsing eating bowls when that water still contains grains of rice or food. The specific content of this sutta has not yet been fully translated, but based on the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the rule relates to the principle that food must not be wasted, and resources must not be used wastefully or heedlessly.
In the Theravāda tradition of practice, practitioners are taught that food is precious. Bhikkhus receive rice from laypeople only during the morning alms round, and thereafter do not eat solid food until the following day. Thus even small grains of rice in rinsing water should not be wasted. This rule reflects the spirit of non-greed (anagiddhatā) and the practice of clear awareness (sampajañña), namely doing everything with consideration and great attentiveness.
This rule is also connected with the ethical aspect of respecting the labor of farmers and cooks. Every grain of rice is the result of the honest labor of others.
Practical Meaning
The Sasitthaka Sutta teaches that practice of the Buddha’s Dharma is not only meditation or abstract mindfulness, but begins with extremely concrete actions in daily life.
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