Speaking with food in mouth (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK43)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on mouthfuls

Speaking with food in mouth

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 spoke with food in their mouths. …

Final ruling

“‘I will not speak with food in my mouth,’ this is how you should train.”

One should not speak with food in one’s mouth.

If a monk, out of disrespect, speaks with food in his mouth, 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 there is an emergency;

if he is insane;

if he is the first offender.

The third training rule is finished.