Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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STUDIES IN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM
of a monk to press the food from the top; or to look at other's bowl with greed and eagerness; or to make a very large mouthful; or to open the mouth before the mouthful has come close to it; or to put the whole hand into the mouth; or to talk with food in the mouth; or to toss the food in the mouth; or to bite the food playfully: or to stuff the cheeks with food; or to shake hands about; or to scatter lumps of rice; or to put out the tongue; or to smack lips; or to make a hissing sound or to lick fingers, bowls or the lips; or to chew the food placing outside the door of the mouth; etc. Likewise holding water-vessel with hands soiled with food was strictly prohibited. After eating, the bowls and hands were to be rinsed well and with due care1
Even a thera, on the eve of an invitation, is neither allowed to eat before the food has been served out to all nor to rinse his bowls and hands, if taking of food is still going on. Besides, eating out of one dish or drinking out of one vessel is prohibited. But at the same time monks are advised to use even the fallen food, if fallen at the time of service.
The community dinner is concluded with the act of thanksgiving to the donor by the monks. The senior most member, as a rule, is entrusted with this duty. Others too are obliged to wait there until the act of thanks-giving has been finished. If not so, then at least four or five senior members are bound to stay. Anybody intending to leave the place is allowed to do so after informing the monk or nun next to him or her in seniority."
This procedure of visiting a community dinner is completely reflected in the well-born way of attending an invitation by the Buddha. To make the point intelligible, let us produce it verbatim.
"And in the forenoon the Blessed One, having put on the underrobes took his alms-bowi, and, with his civara on went to the house of the lay-devotee. When he had arrived there, he sat down with the bhikkhus who followed him, on seats laid out for them. Then that lay-devotee served and offered with his own hands excellent food, both hard and soft, to the fraternity of bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head. And when the Blessed One had finished his meal, and cleansed his bowl and his hands, that lay-devotee sat down near him. And the
1. CV, 5, 8. 22, p. 213.
2. Ibid, 8. 5. 9, pp. 318-19; PM, 7- 27-56.