Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary. At that time, because of decline in support and loss of respect, Devadatta and his followers were only invited to meals after repeatedly asking. People grumbled and complained, “How can the Sakyan ascetics eat at invitations after repeatedly asking? Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t want tasty food?”

The monks heard those people grumbling and complaining, and the monks of few desires … complained and criticized those monks, “How can Devadatta and his followers eat at invitations after repeatedly asking?” … “Is it true, Devadatta, that you do this?”

“It’s true, Master.”

The Buddha rebuked him, “… Foolish man, how can you and your followers eat at invitations after repeatedly asking? This will not give rise to confidence in those without it … And, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

First preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards people invited sick monks to a meal. Knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. They told the Master. Soon afterwards he gave a teaching and addressed the monks, “Monks, I allow a sick monk to eat in a group. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Second preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reason is this: he is sick.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Third sub-story

Soon afterwards, during the robe-giving season, people prepared a meal together with robe-cloth and then invited the monks, saying, “We wish to offer you a meal and then give you robe-cloth.” Knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. As a result they only obtained a small amount of robe-cloth. They told the Master. … “Monks, I allow you to eat in a group during the robe-giving season. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Third preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reasons are these: he is sick, it is the robe-giving season.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Fourth sub-story

Soon afterwards people invited monks who were making a robe for a meal. Knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. They told the Master. … “Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when you are making a robe. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Fourth preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reasons are these: he is sick, it is the robe-giving season, he is making a robe.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Fifth sub-story

Soon afterwards monks went traveling on a main road with some people. The monks said to the people, “Please wait a moment while we walk for alms.” They replied, “Venerables, please eat right here.” Knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. They told the Master. … “Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when you are traveling on a main road. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Fifth preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reasons are these: he is sick, it is the robe-giving season, he is making a robe, he is traveling on a main road.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Sixth sub-story

Soon afterwards monks boarded a boat with some people. The monks said to the people, “Please go to the shore for a moment while we walk for alms.” They replied, “Venerables, please eat right here.” Knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. They told the Master. … “Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when you are traveling by boat. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Sixth preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reasons are these: he is sick, it is the robe-giving season, he is making a robe, he is traveling on a main road, he is traveling by boat.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Seventh sub-story

Soon afterwards monks who had completed the rainy-season residence in various regions were coming to Rājagaha to see the Master. People saw those monks who had come from various countries, and they invited them for a meal. Knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. They told the Master. … “Monks, I allow you to eat in a group on big occasions. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Seventh preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reasons are these: he is sick, it is the robe-giving season, he is making a robe, he is traveling on a main road, he is traveling by boat, it is a big occasion.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Eighth sub-story

Soon afterwards a relative of King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha who had gone forth with the Ājīvaka ascetics approached the King and said, “Great King, I wish to make a meal for the ascetics of all sects.”

“That’s fine, Venerable, if you first feed the Order of monks headed by the Buddha.”

“I’ll do that.”

And he sent a message to the monks: “Please accept a meal from me tomorrow.” But knowing that the Master had prohibited eating meals in a group and being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not accept. That Ājīvaka ascetic then went to the Master, exchanged friendly greetings with him, and stood to one side. And he said this, “Good Gotama has gone forth and so have I. One who has gone forth is entitled to give alms to another who has gone forth. Good Gotama, please accept a meal from me tomorrow together with the Order of monks.” The Master consented by remaining silent. The Ājīvaka understood that the Master had consented, and he left.

Soon afterwards the Master gave a teaching and addressed the monks, “Monks, I allow you to eat in a group when the meal is given by an ascetic. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Final ruling

‘If a monk eats in a group, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. The appropriate reasons are these: he is sick, it is the robe-giving season, he is making a robe, he is traveling on a main road, he is traveling by boat, it is a big occasion, it is a meal given by an ascetic.’”

Definitions

Eats in a group: wherever four monks, after being invited, eat any of the five staple foods— this is called “eats in a group.

Unless there is an appropriate reason: except at an appropriate time.

He is sick: even if he just has split feet, he may eat in a group.

It is the robe-giving season: That is, the last month of the rainy season, plus the four months of the cold season.if he has not done the robe-making ceremony, he may eat in a group during the last month of the rainy season. If he has done the robe-making ceremony, he may eat in a group during the five month period.

He is making a robe: According to the commentary, Sp.4.813.4, “Whoever does any work to be done in regard to the robe—the Mahāpaccariya says, ‘Even one who just threads the needle’—may eat a group meal because he is making a robe,” yo tattha cīvare kattabbaṃ yaṃkiñci kammaṃ karoti, mahāpaccariyañhi “antamaso sūcivedhanako”tipi vuttaṃ, tena cīvarakārasamayoti bhuñjitabbaṃ.if he is making a robe, he may eat in a group.

He is traveling on a main road: Half a yojana. The length of a yojana is uncertain, and perhaps it never was a precise distance. But a reasonable estimate is 8 miles or just under 13 kilometers (see ACMC, p.16). Thus half a yojana is just over 6 km.if he intends to travel at least six kilometers, he may eat in a group. And he may eat in a group while he is traveling, and after traveling.

He is traveling by boat: if he intends to board a boat, he may eat in a group. And he may eat in a group while on-board, and after disembarking.

It is a big occasion: if two or three monks can get by by walking for alms, but not a group of four, he may eat in a group.

It is a meal given by an ascetic: if any kind of wanderer is making the meal, he may eat in a group.

If he receives it intending to eat it, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If it is a group meal, and he perceives it as a group meal, and he eats, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a group meal, but he is unsure if it is, and he eats, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a group meal, but he does not perceive it as a group meal, and he eats, unless there is an appropriate reason, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is not a group meal, but he perceives it as a group meal, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is not a group meal, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is not a group meal, and he does not perceive it as a group meal, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if there is an appropriate reason; if two or three eat together; if they eat together after walking for alms; if it is a regular meal invitation; if it is a meal invitation decided by drawing lots; One of the sub-commentaries says: Ekasmiṃ pakkhe ekadivasaṃ dātabbaṃ bhattaṃ pakkhikaṃ, “pakkhikaṃ means: meal to be given one day in one half-month.” (Sp-ṭ.2.30).if it is a half-monthly meal; if it is on the observance day; if it is on the day after the observance day; if it is anything apart from the five staple foods; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The second rule, the training rule on group meals, is finished.