Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. At that time a monk who only used discarded things was staying in a charnel ground. He disliked receiving what was given by people. Instead he would take whatever was offered to the dead at charnel grounds, at the foot of trees, or at thresholds, and he would use that. People complained and criticized him, “How can this monk take the offerings to our ancestors and use them? This monk is big and strong.

The monks heard the complaints of those people, and the monks of few desires … complained and criticized him, “How can this monk eat food that has not been given?” … “Is it true, monk, that you do this?”

“It’s true, Master.”

The Buddha rebuked him, “… Foolish man, how can you eat food that has not been given? This will not give rise to confidence in those without it … And, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk eats food that has not been given, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

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

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards the monks did not use water or tooth-cleaners because they were afraid of wrongdoing. They told the Master … “Monks, I allow you to use water and tooth-cleaners after taking them yourselves. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Final ruling

‘If a monk eats food that has not been given, except for water and tooth-cleaners, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Monk: … he monk who has been given the full ordination by a complete Order through a procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is unchallengeable and fit to stand— this sort of monk is meant in this case.

That has not been given: what has not been received is what is meant.

Given: standing within arm’s reach of one giving by body or by what is connected to his body or by releasing, he receives it by body or by what is connected to his body—this is called “given.”

Food: whatever is edible, apart from water and tooth-cleaners—this is called “food.”

Except for water and tooth-cleaners: apart from water and tooth-cleaners.

If he takes it with the intention of eating it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If it has not been received, and he does not perceive it as received, and he eats it, except for water and tooth-cleaners, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it has not been received, but he is unsure of it, and he eats it, except for water and tooth-cleaners, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it has not been not received, but he perceives it as received, and he eats it, except for water and tooth-cleaners, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it has been received, but he does not perceive it as received, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it has been received, but he is unsure if it has, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it has been received, and he perceives it as received, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if it is water or tooth-cleaners; These are dung, urine, ash, and clay, see Mv.206.8.if, when there is a reason, but there is no attendant, he himself takes the four filthy edibles and eats them; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The tenth rule, the training rule on tooth-cleaners, is finished.

The fourth chapter on food is finished.

This is the summary: