Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c19.s8: Piṇḍiyālopabhojanam
Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c19.s8
- Language
- English
Piṇḍiyālopabhojanam
v1.c19.s8.1
Originally the monks were enjoined to live only on alms, but in course of time the rule was relaxed and they were allowed to accept invitations when extended to a Sangha as a body, or to a group of individuals, or to an individual. They could also accept food distributed by tickets (*salākā*), fortnightly meals, meals on the Uposatha days or meals offered on every first day (*pratipad*) of a fortnight.¹
v1.c19.s8.2
¹ *Sanghabhatta*, *Uddesabhatta*, *Nimantana*, *Salākābhatta*, *Pakkhika*, *Uposathika*, and *Patipadika*. See Infra., p. 322.
v1.c19.s8.3
The restrictions regarding food were further relaxed in the section on medicaments. Not only sick but also healthy monks were allowed to take sugar-water,² or other sweet drinks,³ fruits,⁴ meat and fish under certain conditions.⁵
v1.c19.s8.4
² *Mv.*, vi, 27. 1.
v1.c19.s8.5
³ *Mv.*, vi, 35. 6.
v1.c19.s8.6
⁴ *Mv.*, vi, 38. 1.
v1.c19.s8.7
⁵ *Mv.*, vi, 31. 14. Cf. *Infra.*, p. 312.
v1.c19.s8.8
By the sanction of *Kappiya-bhūmi* for the storage of food, further latitude was given to the monks in the matter of obtaining their food, even, if necessary, by cooking. The site of the Kappiyabhūmi had to be selected beyond the boundary limits of a monastery, with the exception that the site if not so found, a cow-shed or a layman's building within the boundaries of a monastery might be used as a Kappiyabhūmi. A bhikkhu was entrusted with the management of the Kappiyabhūmi. He was called Kappiyakāraka. It is said that bhikkhus undertaking a journey were permitted even to receive gold through the Kappiyakāraka and purchase the necessaries of life.⁶ Lastly the bhikkhus were given full discretion in matters of food and medicaments regarding which there was no express direction in the Vinaya.⁷
v1.c19.s8.9
⁶ *Mv.*, vi, 34. 21.
v1.c19.s8.10
⁷ *Mv.*, vi, 40.
Linked texts (1)
- Mahāvagga — Pāli