Mpt Pc 31Eating Successive Meals

Explanation of the Paramparabhojana Sutta (Eating Successive Meals)

Background

The Paramparabhojana Sutta is a rule (Pātimokkha) belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition. The Vinaya was compiled to regulate the conduct of monastics in the early Buddhist community, with the aim of maintaining discipline, protecting reputation, and creating favorable conditions for the practice of liberation.

This rule arose from a specific circumstance: bhikkhus in the original time of the Buddha engaged in improper behavior concerning eating and drinking, especially eating successive meals without observing the limits of time and manner. The Buddha, witnessing these events, laid down this rule to regulate conduct and maintain the purity of the Sangha community.

Main Content

The Paramparabhojana Sutta (from parama-para = successive, bhojana = meal) stipulates that bhikkhus may not eat successive meals in the afternoon after having eaten in the morning, or eat several meals within the same period of time without proper separation.

Specifically, the principle of “eating successive meals” (paramparabhojana) is regarded as a violation of discipline. Bhikkhus must observe the rule on eating within a definite period, ordinarily from early morning until the time of cessation, called pattakkhana, that is, when the sun has passed the meridian, and thereafter they do not eat anything until the next day.

Eating successive meals is regarded as conduct marked by greed and a lack of the spirit of patient endurance, and it may harm the practice of concentration (samādhi) as well as physical health. This is not only a matter of willpower, but also concerns the nature of the bhikkhu’s life: simplicity, moderation, and concentration on the goal of liberation.

Practical Meaning

In the Theravāda context, this rule reflects a profound philosophy of guarding the sense faculties (indriya samvara) and training the will.