San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Sk 67Stuffing Cheeks

Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutta (The Sutta on Stuffing the Cheeks)

Background

This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, reflecting disciplinary regulations issued by the Buddha to regulate the conduct of bhikkhus. Avagaṇḍakāraka (avagaṇḍa = cheek, kāraka = action) refers to a specific behavior related to stuffing the cheeks while eating.

The background arose from events in the community of monks and nuns, when bhikkhus did not observe the rules on proper conduct during meals, causing the lay community to lose confidence and obstructing the work of teaching the Dharma. Therefore, the Buddha established specific rules to protect the image of monks and nuns and maintain dignity in the monastery.

This sutta is often related to rules on refined eating practices, one of the basic principles of the Vinaya Piṭaka. Maintaining refined conduct in daily activities, including eating, is regarded as an expression of diligence and respect for the Dharma.

Main Content

According to the Pāli Vinaya Piṭaka, Avagaṇḍakāraka stipulates that bhikkhus should not stuff the cheeks full, causing their appearance and conduct to become undignified. Specifically, stuffing the cheeks, making them bulge while eating, is regarded as conduct lacking restraint (asaṃvara) and unsuitable for the image of a monastic.

This rule is not a total prohibition on eating, but a reminder about performing the act of eating with awareness, moderation, and modesty. When eating with cheeks stuffed full, a monastic appears greedy and uncontrolled in relation to the senses, which contradicts the spirit of Buddhist training.

The Vinaya Piṭaka generally emphasizes that all bodily actions, including eating, must be performed with clear comprehension (sampajañña) and modesty (soppa). The rule on Avagaṇḍakāraka is a concrete example of this principle: a bhikkhu should eat slowly, without ambition, and always preserve the image of the Sangha.