BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Sekhiya Chapter 1033. I will eat almsfood methodically (§): a training to be observed.The aim of this rule is that a bhikkhu work steadily across his food from one side toanother while eating and not pick at it here and there. Special treats, though, maybe passed over — either as a form of self-denial or to save them for the end of themeal. Also, there is no offense in picking here and there when taking food fromone's bowl to give to another person (§).34. I will eat almsfood with bean curry in proper proportion: atraining to be observed.The non-offenses here are the same as under Sk 29: This rule does not apply tofoods that are not thick bean curries, or to situations where one has received beancurry from relatives, from people who offered an invitation to take more, for the sakeof another, or from one's own resources.35. I will not eat almsfood taking mouthfuls from a heap: a trainingto be observed.This refers to the food on one's plate or in one's bowl. The Commentary explainsfrom a heap as from the top or from the middle. As noted under Sk 33, one shouldwork across one's food systematically; this rule indicates that one should start fromthe side when taking mouthfuls and not from the middle of the heap. The nonoffenseclauses state that if a little food remains scattered in one's bowl, there is nooffense in gathering it together in a small heap and eating from that (§). TheVinaya-mukha maintains that it is a custom among bhikkhus before eating to leveloff the food in their bowls so that its surface is even, but I have found no referenceto this point in any of the other texts. However, the Vinaya-mukha does make thehelpful point that if one is served other foods — such as sweets — stacked on aplatter, it would be impolite to level them off (or to take from the edge in a way thatwould collapse the heap), so in such cases one may take from the top of the heap.This refers to the food on one's plate or in one's bowl. The Commentary explainsfrom a heap as from the top or from the middle. The Vinaya-mukha notes that it is acustom among bhikkhus before eating to level off the food in their bowls so that itssurface is even. One would then work from one side, as under Sk 33. The nonoffenseclauses state that if a little food remains scattered in one's bowl, there is nooffense in gathering it together in a small heap and eating from that (§). TheVinaya-mukha adds that if one is served other foods — such as sweets — stackedon a platter, it would be impolite to level them off, so in such cases one may takefrom the top of the heap.445