Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules)
by I. B. Horner | 2014 | 345,334 words | ISBN-13: 9781921842160
The English translation of the Bhikkhu-vibhanga: the first part of the Suttavibhanga, which itself is the first book of the Pali Vinaya Pitaka, one of the three major ‘baskets’ of Therevada canonical literature. It is a collection of rules for Buddhist monks. The English translation of the Vinaya-pitaka (first part, bhikkhu-vibhanga) contains many...
Monks’ Training (Sekhiya) 33
Bu-Sk.33.1.1 … in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the group of six monks, having chosen[1] here and there, ate almsfood … “…
‘On continuous alms-tour[2] will I eat almsfood,’ is a training to be observed.”
One should eat almsfood on continuous alms-tour. Whoever out of disrespect eats almsfood, having chosen, here and there, there is an offence of wrong-doing.
There is no offence if it is unintentional, if he is not thinking, if he does not know, if he is ill, if giving to others he is impatient,[3] if piling up (food) into another’s vessel he is impatient, if there are dainties,[4] if there are accidents, if he is mad, if he is the first wrong-doer. Vin.4.192
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
omadditvā. From the context this seems to mean that the monks omitted to call at some houses, picking and choosing between them. Dictionary meanings of omaddati are to rub, to crush, oppress. In a sense ‘oppressed’ might be meant here, for the laity if unable to give the gifts of faith would be oppressed, pressed down. See below, Bu-Sk.35, note.
[2]:
sapadānaṃ. Vin-a.893 says “not having made a distinction (odhiṃ akatvā) here and there, successively.”
[3]:
omasati = ava + √mṛṣ. A monk on continuous alms-tour may become impatient if the donors keep him waiting his turn for alms, if he waits too long he may miss the right time for eating.