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## The Sixteenth Uddeshak
[353]
34. A monk who places food, drink, or edibles on the ground, or approves of someone doing so, incurs a minor atonement.
35. A monk who places food, drink, or edibles on a seat, or approves of someone doing so, incurs a minor atonement.
36. A monk who places food, drink, or edibles on a peg, a hook, or a similar object, or approves of someone doing so, incurs a minor atonement.
**Explanation:**
Monks are the holders of the begging bowl. Therefore, it is permissible to place food, drink, or edibles in their hands, in their bowls, or on the cloth used to hold the bowl. However, it is not permissible to place food, drink, or edibles on the ground or on a seat while they are being held in the hand or the bowl.
There are many types of humans and other living beings, such as ants, who roam the earth. They often discard impure substances, and the ground is covered with various types of impure particles, dust, and other impurities. There are also many types of insects that roam the earth. Placing food on the ground is also considered inappropriate in social conduct. Therefore, the sutra states that this act incurs an atonement.
A seat or a mat made of grass is used for many days. If food is placed on it, the food particles may stick to it, attracting insects. The seat may also be soiled with dirt, sweat, etc. Therefore, placing food on a seat, and for the same reasons, on clothing, or on objects used for cleaning, should also be considered prohibited.
Placing food on a peg, a hook, etc., may lead to the bowl breaking if it falls. Rats and other animals may also reach there and bite or drop the food.
For these reasons, it is prohibited to place food on the ground, on a seat, or on a peg, etc. Doing so incurs a minor atonement.
According to the second Uddeshak of Nishītha, it is permissible to tie food in a cloth and hang it on a peg, etc., if it is necessary due to local circumstances.
Many food items are dry and free from impurities. Placing them on the ground, etc., may not cause the above-mentioned problems. However, due to carelessness, the tradition of committing this offense may increase. Therefore, the sutra states the atonement for placing all types of food, drink, etc., on the ground, etc., in general.
If, by mistake, some food falls on the ground and becomes impure due to dust, etc., then...