Theravāda Vinaya
Translators: brahmali
Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law
Mahāvibhaṅga
The Great Analysis
Pācittiyakaṇḍa
The chapter on offenses entailing confession
Bhojanavagga
The subchapter on eating
32. Gaṇabhojanasikkhāpada
The training rule on eating in a group
Tena samayena buddho bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.
At one time the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary.
Tena kho pana samayena devadatto parihīnalābhasakkāro sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjati.
At that time, because of his loss of material support and honor, Devadatta and his followers had to ask families repeatedly to get invited to meals.
Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—
People complained and criticized him,
“kathañhi nāma samaṇā sakyaputtiyā kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti.
“How can the Sakyan monastics repeatedly ask families to get invited to meals?
Kassa sampannaṁ na manāpaṁ, kassa sāduṁ na ruccatī”ti.
Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t prefer tasty food?”
Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ.
The monks heard the complaints of those people,
Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—
and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks,
“kathañhi nāma devadatto sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissatī”ti …pe…
“How can Devadatta and his followers repeatedly ask families to get invited to meals?” …
“saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, devadatta, sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjasī”ti?
“Is it true, Devadatta, that you do this?”
“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.
“It’s true, Sir.”
Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe…
The Buddha rebuked him …
kathañhi nāma tvaṁ, moghapurisa, sapariso kulesu viññāpetvā viññāpetvā bhuñjissasi.
“Foolish man, how can you do this?
Netaṁ, moghapurisa, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe…
This will affect people’s confidence …” …
evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
“And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane pācittiyan”ti.
‘If a monk eats in a group, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena manussā gilāne bhikkhū bhattena nimantenti.
Soon afterwards people invited sick monks to a meal.
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ.
They told the Buddha.
Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—
Soon afterwards he gave a teaching and addressed the monks:
“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānena bhikkhunā gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow a sick monk to eat in a group.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
This is the appropriate occasion: he is sick.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena manussā cīvaradānasamaye sacīvarabhattaṁ paṭiyādetvā bhikkhū nimantenti—
Soon afterwards, during the robe-giving season, people prepared a meal together with robe-cloth and then invited the monks, saying,
“bhojetvā cīvarena acchādessāmā”ti.
“We wish to offer a meal and then give robe-cloth.”
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Cīvaraṁ parittaṁ uppajjati.
As a result, they only got a small amount of robe-cloth.
Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…
They told the Buddha. …
anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvaradānasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group during the robe-giving season.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena manussā cīvarakārake bhikkhū bhattena nimantenti.
Soon afterwards people invited the robe-making monks for a meal.
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…
They told the Buddha. …
anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvarakārasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group at a time when you are making robes.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū manussehi saddhiṁ addhānaṁ gacchanti.
Soon afterwards some monks went traveling with a group of people.
Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—
The monks said to those people,
“muhuttaṁ, āvuso, āgametha; piṇḍāya carissāmā”ti.
“Please wait a moment while we walk for alms.”
Te evamāhaṁsu—
They replied,
“idheva, bhante, bhuñjathā”ti.
“Venerables, please eat right here.”
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā na paṭiggaṇhanti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…
They told the Buddha. …
anujānāmi, bhikkhave, addhānagamanasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when you’re traveling.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū manussehi saddhiṁ nāvāya gacchanti.
Soon afterwards some monks were traveling by boat with a group of people.
Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—“muhuttaṁ, āvuso, tīraṁ upanetha; piṇḍāya carissāmā”ti.
The monks said to those people, “Please go to the shore for a moment while we walk for alms.”
Te evamāhaṁsu—“idheva, bhante, bhuñjathā”ti.
They replied, “Venerables, please eat right here.”
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā na paṭiggaṇhanti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…
They told the Buddha. …
anujānāmi, bhikkhave, nāvābhiruhanasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when on board a boat.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena disāsu vassaṁvuṭṭhā bhikkhū rājagahaṁ āgacchanti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya.
Soon afterwards monks who had completed the rainy-season residence in various regions were coming to Rājagaha to visit the Buddha.
Manussā nānāverajjake bhikkhū passitvā bhattena nimantenti.
People saw those monks who had come from various countries and invited them for a meal.
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…
They told the Buddha. …
anujānāmi, bhikkhave, mahāsamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group on big occasions.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
“Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo, mahāsamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat; it is a big occasion.’”
Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.
In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.
Tena kho pana samayena rañño māgadhassa seniyassa bimbisārassa ñātisālohito ājīvakesu pabbajito hoti. Atha kho so ājīvako yena rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ māgadhaṁ seniyaṁ bimbisāraṁ etadavoca—“icchāmahaṁ, mahārāja, sabbapāsaṇḍikabhattaṁ kātun”ti.
Soon afterwards a relative of King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha who had gone forth with the Ājīvaka ascetics went to the King and said, “Great king, I wish to make a meal for the monastics of all religions.”
“Sace tvaṁ, bhante, buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyāsi”.
“That’s fine, Sir, if you first feed the Sangha of monks headed by the Buddha.”
“Evaṁ kareyyāmī”ti.
“I’ll do that.”
Atha kho so ājīvako bhikkhūnaṁ santike dūtaṁ pāhesi—“adhivāsentu me bhikkhū svātanāya bhattan”ti.
And he sent a message to the monks: “Please accept a meal from me tomorrow.”
Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā nādhivāsenti—“paṭikkhittaṁ bhagavatā gaṇabhojanan”ti.
But knowing that the Buddha had prohibited eating in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept.
Atha kho so ājīvako yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho so ājīvako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca—
That Ājīvaka ascetic then went to the Buddha, exchanged pleasantries with him, and said,
“bhavampi gotamo pabbajito, ahampi pabbajito;
“Good Gotama has gone forth and so have I.
arahati pabbajito pabbajitassa piṇḍaṁ paṭiggahetuṁ.
One who has gone forth should receive alms from another who has gone forth.
Adhivāsetu me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti.
Good Gotama, please accept a meal from me tomorrow together with the Sangha of monks.”
Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena.
The Buddha consented by remaining silent.
Atha kho so ājīvako bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā pakkāmi.
The Ājīvaka understood that the Buddha had consented, and he left.
Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—
Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:
“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, samaṇabhattasamaye gaṇabhojanaṁ bhuñjituṁ.
“Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when the meal is given by a monastic.
Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
Gaṇabhojane, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.
‘If a monk eats in a group, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Gilānasamayo, cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo, addhānagamanasamayo, nāvābhiruhanasamayo, mahāsamayo, samaṇabhattasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.
These are the appropriate occasions: he is sick; it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes; he is traveling; he is on a boat; it is a big occasion; it is a meal given by a monastic.’”
Gaṇabhojanaṁ nāma
Eats in a group:
yattha cattāro bhikkhū pañcannaṁ bhojanānaṁ aññatarena bhojanena nimantitā bhuñjanti. Etaṁ gaṇabhojanaṁ nāma.
wherever four monks, after being invited, eat any of the five cooked foods—this is called “eats in a group”.
Aññatra samayāti
Except on an appropriate occasion:
ṭhapetvā samayaṁ.
unless it is an appropriate occasion.
Gilānasamayo nāma
He is sick:
antamaso pādāpi phalitā honti. “Gilānasamayo”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ.
even if he has cracked feet, he may eat in a group.
Cīvaradānasamayo nāma
It is the robe-giving season:
anatthate kathine vassānassa pacchimo māso, atthate kathine pañcamāsā. “Cīvaradānasamayo”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ.
if he has not participated in the robe-making ceremony, he may eat in a group during the last month of the rainy season. If he has participated in the robe-making ceremony, he may eat in a group during the five month period.
Cīvarakārasamayo nāma
It is a time of making robes:
cīvare kayiramāne. “Cīvarakārasamayo”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ.
when he is making robes, he may eat in a group.
Addhānagamanasamayo nāma
He is traveling:
“addhayojanaṁ gacchissāmī”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ, gacchantena bhuñjitabbaṁ, gatena bhuñjitabbaṁ.
he may eat in a group if he intends to travel at least six kilometers, while traveling, and after traveling.
Nāvābhiruhanasamayo nāma
He is on a boat:
“nāvaṁ abhiruhissāmī”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ, āruḷhena bhuñjitabbaṁ, oruḷhena bhuñjitabbaṁ.
he may eat in a group if he intends to board a boat, while on board, and after disembarking.
Mahāsamayo nāma
It is a big occasion:
yattha dve tayo bhikkhū piṇḍāya caritvā yāpenti, catutthe āgate na yāpenti. “Mahāsamayo”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ.
if two or three monks can get by on walking for alms, but not a group of four, he may eat in a group.
Samaṇabhattasamayo nāma
It is a meal given by a monastic:
yo koci paribbājakasamāpanno bhattaṁ karoti. “Samaṇabhattasamayo”ti bhuñjitabbaṁ.
if any kind of wanderer is making the meal, he may eat in a group.
“Aññatra samayā bhuñjissāmī”ti paṭiggaṇhāti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
If he receives something intending to eat it, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Ajjhohāre ajjhohāre āpatti pācittiyassa.
For every mouthful, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Gaṇabhojane gaṇabhojanasaññī, aññatra samayā, bhuñjati, āpatti pācittiyassa.
If he eats in a group, and he perceives it as such, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Gaṇabhojane vematiko, aññatra samayā, bhuñjati, āpatti pācittiyassa.
If he eats in a group, but he is unsure of it, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Gaṇabhojane nagaṇabhojanasaññī, aññatra samayā, bhuñjati, āpatti pācittiyassa.
If he eats in a group, but he does not perceive it as such, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.
Nagaṇabhojane gaṇabhojanasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
If he does not eat in a group, but he perceives it as such, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Nagaṇabhojane vematiko, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
If he does not eat in a group, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Nagaṇabhojane nagaṇabhojanasaññī, anāpatti.
If he does not eat in a group, and he does not perceive it as such, there is no offense.
Anāpatti—
There is no offense:
samaye,
if it is an appropriate occasion;
dve tayo ekato bhuñjanti,
if two or three eat together;
piṇḍāya caritvā ekato sannipatitvā bhuñjanti,
if they eat together after walking for alms;
niccabhattaṁ,
if it is a regular meal invitation;
salākabhattaṁ,
if it is a meal for which lots are drawn;
pakkhikaṁ,
if it is a half-monthly meal;
uposathikaṁ,
if it is on the observance day;
pāṭipadikaṁ,
if it is on the day after the observance day;
pañca bhojanāni ṭhapetvā sabbattha anāpatti,
if it is anything apart from the five cooked foods;
ummattakassa,
if he is insane;
ādikammikassāti.
if he is the first offender.
Gaṇabhojanasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.
The training rule on eating in a group, the second, is finished.