Bi Pc 117117. Eating excessively at a public guesthouse
Pāli / Sanskrit:Āvasathapiṇḍa
A nun who eats more than one meal at a public alms center must confess the offense.
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Vinaya Bhikkhunī Pc 117: Eating Excessively at a Public Guesthouse
Background
This rule is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the code of monastic discipline for bhikkhunīs), belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. In the early period of the Buddhist Sangha, bhikkhunīs observed a simple way of life, depending upon lay supporters for the provision of food. However, when public guesthouses (āvasatha) — places designated specifically to encourage lay supporters to offer food to the Sangha — came into existence, questions concerning moderation in eating and self-restraint arose.
This rule was established to prevent certain bhikkhunīs from taking advantage of the generosity of lay supporters by eating excessively or eating multiple times at such places. Such conduct not only creates an unfavorable impression but also runs contrary to the spirit of Fewness of Wishes (appicchatā) and Contentment (santuṭṭhi) — two cardinal virtues in the Buddha's teaching.
Main Content
According to Bhikkhunī Pc 117 (Āvasathapiṇḍa), if a bhikkhunī eats more than one meal at a public guesthouse, such conduct is regarded as an offense requiring acknowledgment or confession (pācittiya — a minor offense requiring expiation). The conditions for the conduct to constitute a transgression include: the bhikkhunī being aware that the place is a public guesthouse, having the intention to eat in excess, and actually eating more than one complete meal.
"In excess" here does not refer simply to the quantity of food, but to continuing to eat or eating a second time after having already received the principal meal. This rule reflects the moral conscience of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka: to respect the assistance of those who make offerings, not to abuse their goodwill, and to maintain integrity in the presence of those who bear witness.
The transgression is not as grave an offense as Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, but it requires the bhikkhunī to confess sincerely before the Sangha or before an experienced bhikkhunī.
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