Xct Mu Bi Pm Sk 73Na sāmiṣeṇodakenāntarikaṁ bhikṣuṁ

Explanation of the Na sāmiṣeṇodakenāntarikaṁ bhikṣuṁ Sutta

Background

This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, where the rules governing the Sangha community and the specific situations arising during the training of bhikkhus are recorded. The title of this sutta means “One must not give a bhikkhu a portion of food containing animal fat together with water,” indicating a disciplinary fault related to providing unsuitable food.

In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a list of offenses and punishments, but also reflects the wisdom of the Ancestral Buddha Shakyamuni in regulating the community of bhikkhus. Each rule has a history: it arose from specific events, when unwise disciples committed violations, and the Buddha then established a rule to prevent them. This shows that the Vinaya is not a rigid bondage, but an expression of compassion and wisdom.

Main Content

This sutta concerns the rule on how food should be provided to bhikkhus. Specifically, the content warns against giving a bhikkhu food in which there is a combination of animal fat (sāmiṣa) and water (udaka). This prohibition is not unreasonable, but arises from three main reasons.

First, from the perspective of ancient Indian medicine, this combination was regarded as difficult to digest and potentially harmful to the health of practitioners. Bhikkhus need to maintain their health in order to continue meditation practice and Dharma study wholeheartedly.

Second, this rule reflects a general principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka: bhikkhus should live simply and should not attach importance to refined foods or foods that arouse pleasure. Eating and drinking should only be a means to sustain life, not a way to seek delight. Sāmiṣa, that is, foods containing fat or animal substance, was often regarded as “overly good” food that could stir up craving.

Third, this rule also helps manage the community of bhikkhus fairly and harmoniously.