Xct Mu Bi Pm Pd 8Asking for Fish
Pāli / Sanskrit:Macchaviññāpana
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The Sutta on Asking for Fish (Macchaviññāpana)
Background
The Sutta on Asking for Fish is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pāṭimokkha, the disciplinary code of the Buddhist Sangha. It is part of the training related to morality (sīla) that bhikkhus must observe.
This text appears in the context of rules concerning monastic eating and conduct in daily life. Although its title is “Asking for Fish,” its essence concerns the principle of asking for food, and the things to be avoided in the course of practice. The Buddha laid down specific teachings to protect the purity of the Sangha and to prevent actions that violate ethical conduct.
The historical background shows that, in the Buddha’s time, bhikkhus lived by receiving alms from laypeople. However, certain problems arose when they actively requested or hinted at specific kinds of food, especially rare foods or requests that were difficult to fulfill. The Buddha saw that this conduct violated the spirit of humility and placed hardship on lay supporters, and so he established a rule.
Main Content
The Sutta on Asking for Fish states that a bhikkhu is not permitted actively to request or hint that laypeople bring specific kinds of food, especially kinds that he likes but that are rare or difficult to obtain. “Asking for fish” (macchaviññāpana), or more broadly asking for any kind of food, is considered an act that violates ethical discipline.
Specifically, a bhikkhu may receive food only when it has not been requested beforehand. When going on alms round, he must remain silent, allowing laypeople to offer food voluntarily. If someone asks, “What does the bhikkhu like to eat?” the bhikkhu may answer in an even-handed way, but may not suggest special or hard-to-find items. This rule is intended to protect the peaceful mind of the bhikkhu and to prevent greed or discrimination with regard to food.
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