Not eating in the right proportions (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK34)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on respectfully

Not eating in the right proportions

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 were eating almsfood with large amounts of bean curry. …

Final ruling

“‘I will eat almsfood with the right proportion of bean curry,’ this is how you should train.”¹

Definitions

Bean curry:

there are two kinds of bean curry, to be taken with the hand:

mung-bean curry and black-gram curry.

Almsfood is to be eaten with the right proportion of bean curry.

If a monk, out of disrespect, eats much bean curry, 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 it is any food apart from bean curry;²

if it is from relatives;

if it is from those who have given an invitation;

if it is by means of his own property;

if there is an emergency;

if he is insane;

if he is the first offender.

The fourth training rule is finished.