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 4 - Concept of Ahara in Buddhism
18 (of 76)
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basis, and subtle because of the subtlety of the basis. But because
physical nutriment is included in subtle materiality, by way of its
235 236
individual essence it is subtle only. That grossness and subtlety should
be understood relatively in respect of the basis. Thus, the nutriment of
peacocks is subtle compared with the nutriment of crocodiles. Crocodiles,
they say, swallow stones, and these dissolve on reaching their stomachs.
Peacocks eat such animals as snakes, scorpions, etc. But the nutriment of
hyenas is subtle compared with the nutriment of peacocks. These, they
say, eat horns and bones thrown away three years before, and these
become soft as yams as soon as they are moistened with their saliva. In
addition, the nutriment of elephants is subtle compared with the nutriment
of hyenas. For these eat the branches of various trees, etc. The nutriment
of the gayal buffalo, the antelope, the deer, etc., is subtler than the
nutriment of elephants. These, they say, eat the sapless leaves of various
kinds of trees, etc. The nutriment of cows is subtler than their nutriment;
they eat fresh and dried grass. The nutriment of hares is subtler than their
nutriment; that of birds is subtler than that of hares; that of barbarians is
subtler than that of birds; that of village headmen is subtler than that of
barbarians; that of kings and kings' ministers is subtler than village
headmen's; that of a Wheel-turning Monarch is subtler than their
nutriment. The earth deities' nutriment is subtler than that of a Wheel-
turning Monarch. The nutriment of the deities of the Four Great Kings is
subtler than that of the earth deities. Thus, nutriment should be elaborated
235 The point is that while in conventional terms food substances are distinguished as gross or subtle,
this distinction is made in terms of the physical base only. The Abhidhamma classifies nutritive
essence as subtle materiality (sukhumarupa); it contrasts with gross materiality (ol膩rikarupa),
which includes only the five sense organs and their objects. Ibid.
236 Ibid., The Sammadi峁弓hi Sutta and its Commentary.
