Eating from lifted mouthfuls (PLI-TV-BU-VB-SK44)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on training

The subchapter on mouthfuls

Eating from lifted mouthfuls

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 from lifted balls of food. …

Final ruling

“‘I will not eat from a lifted ball of food,’ this is how you should train.”¹

One should not eat from a lifted ball of food.

If a monk, out of disrespect, eats from a lifted ball of food, 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 fresh food;²

if it is any kind of fruit;³

if there is an emergency;

if he is insane;

if he is the first offender.

The fourth training rule is finished.