Xct Mu Bu Pm Pc 37Eating at the Wrong Time
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vikālabhojana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Rule on Eating at the Wrong Time (Vikālabhojana)
Background
The Vikālabhojana rule is a rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, belonging to the code of training for bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka is recorded among the three main baskets of the Pāli Canon, consisting of the regulations the Buddha established to protect harmony in the Sangha and support meditative practice.
The regulation against eating at the wrong time (vikālabhojana) is one of the most basic rules in the Pātimokkha. This is a profound practice, rooted in the Buddha’s recognition that the pure life of a bhikkhu must be protected by careful limits regarding bodily needs. The permitted time for eating (kāla-bhojana) is from sunrise until noon. Eating after the proper time, outside the prescribed period, is considered a violation of the training rules.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus are permitted to eat a main meal in the early morning, usually after going on alms round in the community. After the permitted time has ended, usually when the sun has passed its highest point, bhikkhus may not eat “heavy” foods or solid foods. This is intended to help monastics focus on meditation and spiritual practice without being disturbed by digestion.
This regulation does not apply to light drinks such as water, medicinal tea, or permitted medicinal beverages. However, eating nourishing foods in the afternoon or evening, outside the permitted time, is regarded as a violation of the principle. The purpose is not to create unnecessary hardship, but to cultivate optimal spiritual conditions.
The benefits of observing this regulation include: (1) clarity of body and mind; (2) better ability to concentrate in meditation; (3) reduced heaviness in the body; (4) training in self-control and discipline; (5) harmony in the Sangha when everyone observes the same principle.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.