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Bi Ss 5

The training rule on receiving food

5. Bhojanapaṭiggahaṇasikkhāpada

from: The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing suspension

The training rule on receiving food

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time there was a beautiful nun called Sundarīnandā. When people saw her in the dining hall, they gave her the best food, both the donors and the recipient having lust. Sundarīnandā ate as much as she liked, but not so the other nuns.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Sundarīnandā, being lustful, eat either fresh or cooked food after receiving it directly from a lustful man?” … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Sundarīnandā did this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked her … “How could Sundarīnandā, being lustful, eat either fresh or cooked food after receiving it directly from a lustful man? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling

‘If a lustful nun eats fresh or cooked food after receiving it directly from a lustful man, then that nun too has committed an immediate offense entailing sending away and suspension.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Nun: … The nun who has been given the full ordination in unanimity by both Sanghas through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of nun is meant in this case. Lustful: having lust, longing for, in love with. Lustful: having lust, longing for, in love with. Man: a human male, not a male spirit, not a male ghost, not a male animal. He understands and is capable of having lust. Fresh food: apart from the five cooked foods, water, and tooth cleaners, the rest is called “fresh food”. Cooked food: there are five kinds of cooked food: cooked grain, porridge, flour products, fish, and meat. If she receives fresh or cooked food with the intention of eating it, she commits a serious offense. For every mouthful, she commits an offense entailing suspension. That too: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses. An immediate offense: there is an offense as soon as the misconduct is committed, and no pressing is required. Entailing sending away: she is sent away from the Sangha. Suspension: … Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension.

Permutations

If she receives water or a tooth cleaner, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If only the man has lust, and she receives fresh or cooked food with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

For every mouthful, she commits a serious offense. If she receives water or a tooth cleaner, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If both of them have lust, and she receives fresh or cooked food with the intention of eating it directly from a male spirit, a male ghost, a <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍaka</i>, or a male animal in human form, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, she commits a serious offense. If she receives water or a tooth cleaner, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If only the male being has lust, and she receives fresh or cooked food with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she receives water or a tooth cleaner, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if both are without lust; if she receives, knowing that the man has no lust; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The fifth offense entailing suspension is finished.

Translation: English (Bhikkhu Brahmali). Source: SuttaCentral / Bilara (public domain, CC0).

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