Mpt Sk 61Breaking Lumps
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kabaḷāvacchedaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Commentary on the Rice-Separating Sutta (Kabaḷāvacchedaka)
Background
The Kabaḷāvacchedaka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition and is found in the Pātimokkha Sutta, the major rules in the Vinaya of the Sangha. This sutta was taught by the Buddha to govern daily conduct among monks and nuns, especially matters related to eating, drinking, and practicing communal discipline.
The title “Rice-Separating” (Kabaḷa — a mouthful; avacchedaka — breaking/dividing) reflects the content of the sutta concerning the way rice is divided, food is managed, and actions related to meals in the monastic community. This is one of the most detailed regulations, helping maintain harmony, cleanliness, and discipline in the Sangha.
Main Content
The Kabaḷāvacchedaka Sutta clearly regulates rules related to dividing, separating, and using food in the Sangha. Specifically, the sutta instructs:
Regarding the division of rice and food: Monks and nuns must follow the principle of fairness in dividing portions of rice, porridge, or other foods. Separating rice must not be done arbitrarily, but according to rule, avoiding wasteful actions or harm to the shared property of the Sangha.
Regarding the attitude while eating: The sutta emphasizes that monks and nuns should not eat carelessly or excessively, nor should they eat with greed. Eating is for nourishing the body in service of the work of practice, not for seeking pleasure or sensuality.
Regarding cleanliness and respect: The sutta also regulates the handling of food, keeping the dining area clean, and respecting shared property. This reflects the principle of the “ghee container” in the monastic community — everything is shared, without private possession.
Although these rules may seem minor, in the context of communal life they play a very important role in maintaining discipline, fairness, and harmony.
Practical Meaning
The Kabaḷāvacchedaka Sutta teaches us that nothing is “too small” in the ethics of practice.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.