Making food into a heap (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK35)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on respectfully

Making food into a heap

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 their almsfood after making a heap. …

Final ruling

“‘I will not eat almsfood after making a heap,’ this is how you should train.”

Almsfood is not to be eaten after making a heap.

If a monk, out of disrespect, eats almsfood after making a heap, 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 only a little food remains and he eats it after collecting it in one place;

if there is an emergency;

if he is insane;

if he is the first offender.

The fifth training rule is finished.