초기불교 교단의 食에 대하여

Abstract

Eating food is an important act to both Buddhist believers and Buddhist monks because it is the act of survival itself. Because of this significance, food issues related to Buddhist monks are mentioned in Vinaya Pitaka in detail. These explain dignity and purity of Buddhist monks and nuns. Buddhist monks are not allowed to make profits or to do physical labor to earning something to eat. Buddhist monks must depend on Buddhist believers who provide food for free or invite Buddhist monks or nuns. Food is acquired from relationship with Buddhist believers. Receiving food from believers is a chance for Buddhist monks or nuns to provide believers with Buddha's teachings on truth. Because of this relationship, monks and nuns are not allowed to cook themselves or even pick fruits from the tree. Buddhist monks use a bowl called “balwu” when they eat food. Buddhists monks or nun put every food received from Buddhist believers in that bowl and never complaint about food and satisfied with it. However, these principles on food must change according to various climates, social conditions because the Buddhism body has developed. Buddha was not hesitate to change or amend these rules if it is necessary. Buddha considered his disciples first and did not want to lead his followers to the road of celibacy. Buddha explains on the reason of rules. He said those are for leadership for and harmony with people. The ideal Buddhist practice is to acquire spiritual enlightenment through simple and pure life and harmony with the Buddhist body. As time changed and the Buddhist body has developed, rules on food changed. But its major spirit does not change, which are harmony of simple and pure life with Buddhist body. Eventually the act of acquiring food makes Buddhist monks and nuns achieve the supreme enlightenment.