Xct Mu Bi Sk 52Round Mouthful

Parimaṇḍala Scripture (Vinaya Piṭaka)

Background

The Parimaṇḍala Scripture (Round Mouthful) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, recording the disciplinary rules (Vinaya) established by the Buddha for the community of bhikkhus. According to this tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is the legal foundation of the Sangha community, maintaining purity and consistency in practice.

This scripture arose from a specific event in the daily life of bhikkhus in the Western region. It concerns practical details related to how bhikkhus eat and conduct themselves, reflecting the concern of the Buddha Dharma for seemingly small actions that nevertheless affect practice and spiritual life.

Main Content

The Parimaṇḍala Scripture prescribes the formal manner of eating for bhikkhus during the rains retreat. The focus of the scripture is eating foods that are prepared at regular times, especially foods of round shape (parimaṇḍala).

The Buddha established that bhikkhus should eat food that is prepared in moderation, neither too early nor too late, observing the prescribed time. When speaking of a “round mouthful,” the scripture indicates that a bhikkhu should not let food flow out of the mouth or eat carelessly. The act of eating must be carried out with full attention, avoiding greed and not turning eating into a means of seeking pleasure.

This principle is closely connected with the teachings on mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension (sampajañña), two important factors in the path of practice for bodhisattvas and bhikkhus. When eating, a bhikkhu must clearly know that he is eating to nourish the body for the practice of the Buddha Dharma, not to satisfy desire.

Practical Meaning

The Parimaṇḍala Scripture teaches us that practice does not occur only in moments of stillness or when reciting scriptures, but also permeates every daily action, including such matters as eating.