Bi Sk 5656. Discarding waste water with rice

COMMENTARY ON THE SASITTHAKA (Bi SK 56)

Background

The Sasitthaka belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically to the Sekhiya (Training Rules) section of the Pācittiya. It is one of the training rules belonging to the group of regulations concerning refined deportment in the holy life. The Vinaya Piṭaka comprises not only grave precepts but also hundreds of minor rules governing the conduct, eating, and daily activities of the monastic community, so as to maintain the pure and venerable image of the Sangha in the eyes of the faithful.

This training rule was established by the Blessed One after he observed that certain bhikkhus were lacking in mindfulness during their daily activities, specifically in the handling of rice-washing water or bowl-rinsing water that still contained remnants of food. In Indian society during the time of the Buddha, discarding food wastefully not only showed a lack of reverence for provisions—which had come through the meritorious offerings of donors—but also violated the spirit of fewness of wishes and contentment (appiccha-santuṭṭhi) that the Blessed One always emphasized.

Principal Content

The specific content of the Sasitthaka training rule stipulates that a bhikkhu should not carelessly and heedlessly discard rice-washing water or bowl-rinsing water that still contains grains of rice or unused portions of food. The Pāli word "sasitthaka" means "still containing rice" (sa = with, sittha = leftover rice or food).

In accordance with the spirit of the Vinaya in the Theravāda tradition, this is not merely a rule of hygiene but embodies three profound levels of meaning:

First, reverence for food. Every grain of rice, every morsel of cooked food comes from the labor of farmers and the sincere devotion of donors. To discard it wastefully is to destroy the merit of the giver and to lack gratitude.

Second, maintaining proper deportment. Careless and heedless actions diminish the venerable image of those who have gone forth. When laypeople see monastics pouring away soiled water containing food in a casual manner, they will give rise to a mind of contempt, and thereby lose faith in the Triple Gem.

Third, cultivating mindfulness. Every smallest action in daily life is an opportunity to practice mindfulness (sati). Even when pouring away water, the bhikkhu must remain clearly aware: examining whether any food remains usable, choosing an appropriate place to pour, and avoiding causing uncleanliness or inconvenience to others.

The correct manner of practice is this: before pouring away bowl-rinsing water, one should observe carefully; if rice or usable food remains, it should be poured in a separate place where birds and animals may eat it, or the food remnants should be filtered out before the water is discarded. This practice is at once frugal and an expression of compassion toward living beings.

Practical Significance

In the present age, when the culture of consumption and wastefulness grows ever more severe, this teaching from the Vinaya Piṭaka carries all the deeper meaning. For those who study and practice the Buddha-Dharma, whether monastics or laypeople, the Sasitthaka training rule reminds us:

Live with full awareness in every smallest action. Mindfulness is not only for seated meditation but also in the kitchen, when washing bowls, when handling food scraps.