Xct Mu Bi Sk 73Na sāmiṣeṇodakenāntarikaṁ bhikṣuṁ

Explanation of the Na Sāmiṣeṇodakenāntarikaṁ Bhikṣuṁ Discourse

Context

The Na Sāmiṣeṇodakenāntarikaṁ Bhikṣuṁ discourse (“One should not sprinkle food-water for a bhikkhu”) belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the disciplinary section (Vinaya Piṭaka) that regulates the life of practice for bhikkhus. The Vinaya Pitaka was compiled from the rules established by Śākyamuni Buddha to preserve discipline, maintain the harmony of the Sangha, and protect the virtue of those gone forth.

This discourse is found in the Bhikṣuvibhaṅga, the analysis of the rules for bhikkhus, where prohibited rules concerning eating and the use of food are detailed. The historical context shows that these rules arose from specific situations in the bhikkhu community, corrected by the Buddha through clear teachings and regulations.

Main Content

This discourse revolves around the principle that a bhikkhu should not sprinkle water on kinds of food for the purpose of stimulating growth or preserving them. Specifically, the terms “sāmiṣa” (containing fat or food) and “odaka” (water) in the title refer to the act of mixing or soaking food with artificially prepared water, not ordinary cold water used in daily life.

This rule is directly related to the Pāṭimokṣa, the most basic prohibitions. Its purpose is to prevent bhikkhus from engaging in economic activities or storing food beyond what is necessary. When a bhikkhu sprinkles water on foods such as grains, seeds, or dried vegetables, this may be understood as intentional preservation or cultivation, thereby leading to attachment to material possessions.

This rule also reflects the principle of simplifying needs: a bhikkhu should eat only to live, not live to eat. Any action that prolongs or prepares food beyond the minimum is considered contrary to the spirit of humility and the absence of economic ambition.