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## Sixth Study: Renunciation
[127]
It is impossible to fulfill the purpose of a sick monk's service or a purpose related to the Sangha, which is a greater cause than the renunciation itself. This is the greater cause - the exception to renunciation.
**Meaning:** The renunciation itself leads to a certain level of depletion. However, a greater depletion arises from a purpose that cannot be fulfilled by anyone else, such as the service of a sick monk or a purpose related to the Sangha. In such a situation, if food is consumed before the prescribed time, the vow is not broken. According to this meaning, the vow-taker can consume this food based on their own discretion, even without the order of the Acharya or others.
However, Acharya Nami writes in the Pratikramana Sutra Vritti:
"The greater cause is what is done with the permission of the Acharya or other great ones, who are very great. For example, if a virtuous person has renounced food, and then a purpose arises related to the family, the gana, or the Sangha, which cannot be fulfilled by anyone else, and if the person is appointed by the Acharya or other great ones for this purpose, then if they are able to fulfill the purpose while adhering to the renunciation, they should do so. If they cannot fulfill the purpose while adhering to the renunciation, then they should eat according to the order of the greater cause. In this situation, the renunciation is not broken."
**Meaning:** Those who are very great are called Acharya or other great ones. What is done with their permission and within the limits is called the greater cause. For example, if a sadhu has renounced food, and then a purpose arises related to the family, the gana, or the Sangha, which cannot be fulfilled by anyone else, then if they are able to fulfill the purpose while adhering to the renunciation, they should do so. If they cannot fulfill the purpose while adhering to the renunciation, then they should eat. In this situation, the renunciation is not broken. According to this meaning, the Acharya or other great ones are the "greater" ones. This food can be consumed only with their permission.
Just like the renunciation of the first half of the day, there is also the renunciation of the second half of the day. The renunciation of the second half of the day means not consuming food until three praharas have passed. When observing the renunciation of the second half of the day, the word "avaddham" should be recited instead of "purimaddham". The rest of the recitation is the same for both renunciations.
4. The One-Seat Sutra
I accept the one-seat penance. Therefore, I renounce all three types of food: asana, khadim, and svadim.
The eight causes of this vow are:
* Food
* Desire for food
* Desire for delicious food
* Eating and distributing food
* Serving a guru
* Food for the sake of hospitality
* The greater cause
* Food for the sake of all beings