Essay name: Ahara as depicted in the Pancanikaya
Author:
Le Chanh
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This critical study of Ahara (鈥渇ood鈥�) explores its significance in Buddhism, encompassing both physical and mental nourishment. The Panca Nikaya, part of the Sutta Pitaka, highlights how all human problems, including suffering and happiness, are connected to Ahara. Understanding this concept is crucial for comprehending and alleviating suffering, aiming for a balanced, enlightened life.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
11 (of 38)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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11
life. In order to attain or to satisfy all the needs or foods, one can do
anything, regardless of good or evil; he can harm or kill his friends,
neighbors and even relatives. Because of the satisfaction of food or needs,
human beings can do countless evils and crimes. Any time 膩h膩ra is ever
like a prey and man is like a hunter, he can immediately kill his prey for
his hunger. Wealth is one of the preys that one always hungers for.
According to Lord Buddha's teaching, the only fools long for wealth
because it harms not only themselves but also others.
13 Human beings always crave for foods. It is the most basic need of
human life. Without food, no one can exist in the world. It is said that
owing to 膩h膩ra one is born and one grows; due to food one is either
happy or in pain, good or bad; due to food one can know what really he
is; there is food, there is a human being and vice versa. The growth of the
psychology and physicality as well as the deed and thoughtful capacity of
a person depends upon what man eats, thinks and acts. For people, the
laws of food and nutrition govern both biological and mental life; for a
country and the entire world, it governs all the realms and systems of
social organization such as economics, politics, culture, education, ethics,
and public health. Thus, all aspects of human life have originated from
food, and when there is food crisis, there is a system of social
organization crises and vice versa.
Thus, the existence and operation of each individual is quite
dependent upon 膩h膩ra. In addition, family, which is a group of
individuals who are related to each other, especially a mother, a father,
and their children, is also sustained by its food. Society, which consists of
families, considered in relation to the laws, organizations etc. that make it
possible for them to live together, needs to be nourished by food also.
13 Dhp., verse No. 355.
