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## Sixteenth Uddeshak
[355] If a monk does not find a place to eat away from a householder, he can eat by putting up a curtain of cloth on one side or all sides. If the monk is eating alone, he can eat with his back towards the householder, being mindful. The meaning is that the monk should eat in such a place where the householder cannot see him. Monks should use food and other things only in such places.
**Penance for disrespecting the Acharya and Upadhyaya**
38. If a monk, while walking, touches the bedding of the Acharya or Upadhyaya with his foot, and does not apologize with his hand, nor confesses his mistake, or approves of someone else doing so, he incurs a minor four-month penance.
**Explanation:**
It is unwise to touch anything with one's foot. The Acharya and Upadhyaya are the most respected in the entire Gachchha. Therefore, every monk should show them respect and honor. Touching their bedding with the foot is also a sign of disrespect and unwise behavior. Touching their body, food, clothes, etc., with the foot is also disrespectful. Therefore, a monk should be very mindful while walking near the Acharya, Upadhyaya, or their belongings.
The Churni says:
"If one does not apologize with his hand after touching with his foot, and does not confess his mistake, he incurs a minor four-month penance."
If a monk's foot touches the bedding of the Acharya or Upadhyaya, he should apologize to them respectfully. If they are not present, he should touch the bedding with his hand to make amends for the disrespect shown by his foot, and say "Micchami Dukkadam" to acknowledge his mistake. If any dust or dirt has been transferred from the foot, he should clean it.
If a monk's foot touches the belongings or body of another monk, he should show the same mindfulness.
If a monk, in such situations, does not show any respect or mindfulness and continues walking as if nothing happened, he incurs the penance mentioned in the sutra.
This is because such behavior shows disrespect towards the Acharya and Upadhyaya, perpetuates unwise behavior, makes others feel disrespected, disrespects the Gachchha, and encourages other monks to follow suit, leading to an increase in disrespect within the Gachchha.
Although food and other things are not worthy of worship, touching them with the foot is disrespectful. Therefore, the sutra emphasizes that one should show respect by touching the bedding with the hand to make amends for the disrespect shown by the foot.