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 (“food�) 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.
Appendix 1 - Buddha's teachings on Ahara (Pali texts and English translations)
2 (of 38)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Text 2: Sangītisutta
Katamo eko dhammo? Sabbe sattā āhāraṭṭhitikā. Sabbe sattā saṃkhāraṭṭhitikā.
Ayam kho, āvuso, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena eko
dhammo sammadakkhāto. Tattha sabbeheva sangayitabbam, na vivaditabbam,
yathayidam brahmacariyam addhaniyam assa ciraṭṭhitikam, tadassa bahujanahitāya
bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānam.
(Dīghanikāya III, Sangītisutta 1, 211.)
The Recital
533 "What is the single doctrine? All beings persist through cause (food). All
beings persist through conditions. This 'single doctrine,' friend, has been perfectly set
forth by the Exalted One who knows, who sees. Henceon there should be a
534 chanting in concord, not a wrangling, that thus this holy life may persist and be long
maintained. That may be for the welfare and happiness of many folk, for compassion
on the world, for the good, the welfare, the happiness of Devas and of men.�
(Tran. T.W.Rhys Davids, Dialogues of the Buddha, vol. III, PTS, pp. 204.)
Text 3: Pathamamahāpaṃhāsutta
"Cattāro panhã cattāro uddesā cattāri veyyākaraṇānī'ti, iti kho panetam vuttam.
Kiñcetam paṭicca vuttam? Catūsu, bhikkhave, dhammesu bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno
sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadattham
abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti. Katamesu catūsu? Catūsu
āhāresu imesu kho, bhikkhave, catūsu dhammesu bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno
sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadattham
abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti. 'Cattāro paṃhā cattāro uddesā
cattāri veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti ya� tam vuttam idametam paṭicca vuttam.
(Anguttara-Nikāya V, 52, Dasakanipātapāli, Mahāvagga, sutta No.7)
"
533 Cf. Khp. IV; A. V, 50, 55. The Dīgha alone gives the second aphorism. 'Cause�: āhāra, usually
meaning 'food,' is literally a thing 'adduced,' 'brought up'. Four kinds of āhāra are specific, e.g.,
S.II, ii f.; below, 219 - food, contact, purpose, consciousness (in connection with rebirth), all
considered as so many causes, conditions, antecedents of 'result' or fruit. Hence āhāra in general can
always be rendered by paccaya.
