Bi Pc 77. Asking for raw grain

ĀMAKADHAÑÑA SUTTA (RAW MATERIALS)

Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha 7

Background

This rule is recorded in the Pātimokkha for bhikkhunīs (female monastics), the section of the Vinaya Piṭaka belonging to Theravāda Buddhism. In the early days of the Saṅgha, the Buddha established regulations to maintain the purity and discipline of the monastic community. The issue surrounding the requesting, preparing, and eating of uncooked foods such as raw grain and wheat seeds (āmakadhañña) arose from non-compliant behavior on the part of certain bhikkhunīs.

This rule belongs to the category of "Pācittiya" — offenses that require confession (pāpittiyam) before the Saṅgha. This indicates that the degree of the offense is neither the most serious (pārājika) nor one that causes loss of standing in the Way (saṅghādisesa), but rather an improper action that must be corrected through sincere confession and contrition.

Main Content

The Āmakadhañña rule stipulates that if a bhikkhunī actively requests raw grain (or any kind of uncooked or unprocessed food), then prepares and eats it herself, she commits a pācittiya — that is, an offense requiring confession.

The deeper meaning of this rule concerns not only the act of eating but also fundamental Buddhist values. First, it relates to self-sufficiency and taking personal initiative regarding one's material needs, which can lead to greed (lobha) and the loss of consent (sammati) from the community. Second, requesting a specific kind of food from others reflects a lack of care in making use of what is offered.

Third, this rule emphasizes that bhikkhunīs are not free to request foods according to personal preference. They should accept what is offered in the practice of receiving alms, in accordance with the principles governing cooked rice (bhatta) and accompanying dishes (kummāsa).