{"collection":"Majjhima Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_mn55/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_mn55","id":"suttacentral_mn55","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/mn55/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Majjhima Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near R\u0101jagaha in the Mango Grove of J\u012bvaka Kom\u0101rabhacca. Then J\u012bvaka went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: \u201cSir, I have heard this: \u2018They slaughter living creatures specially for the ascetic Gotama. The ascetic Gotama knowingly eats meat prepared on his behalf: this is a deed he caused.\u2019 I trust those who say this repeat what the Buddha has said, and do not misrepresent him with an untruth? Is their explanation in line with the teaching? Are there any legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism?\u201d \u201cJ\u012bvaka, those who say this do not repeat what I have said. They misrepresent me with what is false and untrue. In three cases I say that meat may not be eaten: it\u2019s seen, heard, or suspected. These are three cases in which meat may not be eaten. In three cases I say that meat may be eaten: it\u2019s not seen, heard, or suspected. These are three cases in which meat may be eaten. Take the case of a mendicant living supported by a town or village. They meditate spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of love to the whole world\u2014abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. A householder or their child approaches and invites them for the next day\u2019s meal. The mendicant accepts if they want. When the night has passed, they robe up in the morning, take their bowl and robe, and approach that householder\u2019s home, where they sit on the seat spread out. That householder or their child serves them with delicious almsfood. It never occurs to them, \u2018It\u2019s so good that this householder serves me with delicious almsfood! I hope they serve me with such delicious almsfood in the future!\u2019 They don\u2019t think that. They eat that almsfood untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawback, and understanding the escape. What do you think, J\u012bvaka? At that time is that mendicant intending to hurt themselves, hurt others, or hurt both?\u201d \u201cNo, sir.\u201d \u201cAren\u2019t they eating blameless food at that time?\u201d \u201cYes, sir. Sir, I have heard that The Divinity abides in love. Now, I\u2019ve seen the Buddha with my own eyes, and it is the Buddha who truly abides in love.\u201d \u201cAny greed, hate, or delusion that might give rise to ill will has been given up by the Realized One, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and is unable to arise in the future. If that\u2019s what you were referring to, I grant it.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I was referring to.\u201d \u201cTake the case, J\u012bvaka, of a mendicant living supported by a town or village. They meditate spreading a heart full of compassion \u2026 They meditate spreading a heart full of rejoicing \u2026 They meditate spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world\u2014abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. A householder or their child approaches and invites them for the next day\u2019s meal. The mendicant accepts if they want. When the night has passed, they robe up in the morning, take their bowl and robe, and approach that householder\u2019s home, where they sit on the seat spread out. That householder or their child serves them with delicious almsfood. It never occurs to them, \u2018It\u2019s so good that this householder serves me with delicious almsfood! I hope they serve me with such delicious almsfood in the future!\u2019 They don\u2019t think that. They eat that almsfood untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawback, and understanding the escape. What do you think, J\u012bvaka? At that time is that mendicant intending to hurt themselves, hurt others, or hurt both?\u201d \u201cNo, sir.\u201d \u201cAren\u2019t they eating blameless food at that time?\u201d \u201cYes, sir. Sir, I have heard that The Divinity abides in equanimity. Now, I\u2019ve seen the Buddha with my own eyes, and it is the Buddha who truly abides in equanimity.\u201d \u201cAny greed, hate, or delusion that might give rise to cruelty, discontent, or aversion has been given up by the Realized One, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and is unable to arise in the future. If that\u2019s what you were referring to, I grant it.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I was referring to.\u201d \u201cJ\u012bvaka, anyone who slaughters a living creature specially for the Realized One or the Realized One\u2019s disciple brims with much wickedness for five reasons. When they say: \u2018Go, fetch that living creature,\u2019 this is the first reason. When that living creature experiences pain and sadness as it\u2019s led along by a collar, this is the second reason. When they say: \u2018Go, slaughter that living creature,\u2019 this is the third reason. When that living creature experiences pain and sadness as it\u2019s being slaughtered, this is the fourth reason. When they serve the Realized One or the Realized One\u2019s disciple with unallowable food, this is the fifth reason. Anyone who slaughters a living creature specially for the Realized One or the Realized One\u2019s disciple brims with much wickedness for five reasons.\u201d When he had spoken, J\u012bvaka said to the Buddha: \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, sir, it\u2019s amazing! The mendicants indeed eat allowable food. The mendicants indeed eat blameless food. Excellent, sir! Excellent! \u2026 From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.\u201d","title":"With J\u012bvaka","tradition":"Majjhima Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":952}