Xct Mu Bu Pm Sk 44Na anāgate khādanīyabhojanīye pātram upanāmayiṣyāma

Exposition of the Na Anāgate Khādanīyabhojanīye Pātram Upanāmayiṣyāma Discourse

Context

This passage belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically the Suttavibhaṅga section among the principal training rules of the Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a set of punitive laws, but practical guidance helping bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs maintain a pure mind, guard the senses, and develop mindfulness in each daily action.

This discourse concerns the use of the bowl on the occasion of taking a meal. The context of its arising is connected with specific situations in the monastic community, when monastics failed to observe certain rules, leading to inappropriate conduct or disharmony in the Sangha. Such Vinaya discourses were recorded to help all practitioners understand the basic ethical idea behind each rule.

Main Content

The title of this discourse means: “One should not, in the future (anāgate), bring the bowl (pātram upanāmayiṣyāma) toward edible foods (khādanīyabhojanīye).” This is a principle related to discipline in eating and in the use of monastic utensils.

This principle arises from a basic ethical principle in Theravāda Buddhism: monastics should have moderation and mindfulness in every action, especially in receiving and using requisites and food. Not readily extending the bowl toward food not yet actually offered means not having a greedy or eager attitude toward receiving food.

This rule also reflects the practice of restraint of the sense faculties (indriyasaṁvara), one of the important factors on the path of Theravāda practice. When a monastic does not actively bring the bowl toward food but waits to be served, this expresses the abandonment of tendencies toward greed for food and serves the mindfulness of the mind.