Not eating in order (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK33)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on respectfully

Not eating in order

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

At that time the monks from the group of six ate almsfood picking here and there. …

Final ruling

“‘I will eat almsfood in order,’ this is how you should train.”

Almsfood is to be eaten in order.

If a monk, out of disrespect, eats almsfood picking here and there, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if it is unintentional;

if he is not mindful;

if he does not know;

if he is sick;

if he picks things out to give to others;

if he picks things out to put it into someone else’s vessel;

if it is a non-bean curry;¹

if there is an emergency;

if he is insane;

if he is the first offender.

The third training rule is finished.