諸經要集 5.72

5.72

Question: What is called the proper mealtime? What is called past the proper mealtime? Answer: Relying on the Dharmaguptaka-vinaya, it says: When the dawn light appears, one may first eat gruel (before the dawn light appears, it is an improper time), continuing until midday. Considering this noon hour as the rule, this is the proper mealtime (relying on the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya, it says that once past this noon hour, even by the shadow of a single hair, an instant, or a blade of grass, it is an improper time). The four continents follow this as identical. Therefore, in the Pila sanmei jing, the World-Honoured One spoke to Wisdom-Dharma Bodhisattva, saying: 'There are four kinds of eating: at early dawn is the gods' mealtime; at noon is the mealtime of the Dharma; at dusk is the animals' mealtime; at night is the spirits' mealtime. The Buddha cuts off the causes of the six realms and makes beings equal to the Buddhas of the three periods; therefore, midday is the mealtime of the Dharma.' After this has passed, it is the same as the lower realms and not the mealtime of the superior; therefore it is called an improper time. The Sarvāstivāda-vinaya says: Only the gods may eat past noon without fault. Furthermore, the Sarvāstivāda-vinaya says: If a monk from Jambudvīpa goes to western Aparagodānīya, he uses the time of Jambudvīpa; if a monk from Aparagodānīya goes to the other three directions, it is also like this. If he stays overnight here, he uses the time here; if he stays overnight there, he uses the time there; and the other three directions are also thus. Therefore, the Mātṛkā-śāstra asks: 'Is there eating at an improper time that does not constitute an offense?' The answer is: 'There is. If one resides in northern Uttarakuru and uses their mealtime, there is no offense. The other directions are also thus. When it is noon in Jambudvīpa, in the north it is midnight, in the east it is sunset, and in the west it is sunrise. The other directions rotate correspondingly and can be known.'