San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Sk 66Stuffing Cheeks
Pāli / Sanskrit:Avagaṇḍakāraka
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The Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutta (Stuffing the Cheeks)
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pāṭimokkha section, the Bhikkhu Pāṭimokkha. It is one of the minor disciplinary rules related to respectful attitude and decorum in the early Buddhist monastic community. The sutta records the Buddha's guidance on unethical behaviors in the course of practice and communal life, intended to preserve the purity and dignity of the Sangha.
The term Avagaṇḍakāraka (stuffing the cheeks, or filling the cheeks) refers to the act of stuffing food into the cheeks while receiving food from donors. This reflects a profound educational purpose: to teach bhikkhus to restrain unconscious and disrespectful habits of consumption when receiving alms.
Main Content
In the Pāṭimokkha, this rule states that a bhikkhu should not stuff his cheeks full of food, especially rice or other food, while receiving or eating food offered by laypeople. This action is considered lacking in self-control, disrespectful toward the donor, and unsuitable for the destiny of one who has gone forth and lives according to the Sangha's discipline.
The sutta points out that stuffing the cheeks is not merely a practical matter, such as making room to receive more food from others, but also reflects a mind of greed and lack of diligence in practice. A bhikkhu who properly observes the discipline should eat mindfully, in measure, and with self-control. The Dhammapadatthakathā and Vinaya commentaries explain that this behavior offends donors because it expresses excessive desire.
In addition, stuffing the cheeks can reflect a lack of mindfulness (sati) and concentration (samādhi), two important factors in Buddhist practice. A renunciant should live with awareness and consume food as a kind of medicine, not for pleasure.
Practical Meaning
The Avagaṇḍakāraka Sutta teaches us diligence in even the smallest details of life.
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