The Jātaka is the tenth book of Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Pitaka, and it consists of stories of the former births of the Buddha. The canonical book of the Jātakas contains only the verses, but it is quite certain that these stories were originally handed down in the oral tradition, giving the tales in prose. Every Jātaka story gives a spiritual, moral, religious, philosophical, social, educational or psychological lesson. The following story illustrates a moral lesson.
The Suka (Suva) Jātaka:
Once upon a time, when King Brahmadatta reigned over Benares, the Bodhisatta (being who would become the Buddha in a future birth) was bom as a parrot, and dwelt in the Himalaya region. He was king over several hundred of his kind, who lived on the seaward side of the Himalayas, and he had a son. While his son grew up to be strong, the father parrot's eyes became weak. Parrots fly with great swiftness, so when they become old, it is the eye that weakens first. His son kept his parents in the nest, and would bring them food.
It happened one day that the young parrot went to the place where he found his food, and he alighted upon a mountain-top. Then he looked over the great ocean and beheld an island on which was a mango grove full of sweet golden fruit. So the next day, at the time of fetching food, he rose into the air and flew to this grove of mangoes, where he sucked the mango juice. He took some fruit and brought it home to his mother and father. As the Boddhisatta ate it, he recognized the taste.
“My son, this is a mango of such and such island,” naming it.
“It is so, father,” replied the young parrot.
“Parrots that go there, my son, do not have long life,” he said, “do not go to that island again!”
But the son did not obey him and went there yet again.
Then one day it happened that he went as usual, and drank much mango juice. With a mango in his beak, he was passing over the ocean when he grew worn out with carrying the fruit so long, and sleep took over him. Sleeping, he flew on, but the fruit that he carried fell out of his beak. And by degrees he fell from his path, and, sinking down, skimmed the surface of the water. And then a fish caught and devoured him. When he should have returned, he did not return, and the Boddhisatta knew that he must have fallen into the water. Then his parents, receiving no sustenance, pined away and died.i
Moderation in Food
The Buddha having told this story, in his perfect wisdom, uttered the following stanza:
What time the bird without excess did eat
He found the way, and brought his mother meat.
But once he too much, forgot the mean,
He fell; and afterward was no more seen.
So be not greedy, modest be in all,
To spare is safe; greed goes before a fall.
The scholastic (commentator) adds the following lines:
Be moderate in eating wet or dry,
And thy hunger's need will satisfy.
Who eats with care, whose belly is not great,
Will be a holy hermit soon or late.
Four or five mouthfuls, then a drink is right;
Enough for any earnest eremite.
A careful moderate eater has small pain,
Slowly grows old, lives twice as long again.
This Jātaka story gives an ideal lesson for the modern man and his eating habits. People in the most affluent countries of the world take more animal protein than vegetable protein and they consume more saturated fats, which is harmful to their circulatory systems, whereas in poor countries, every day people do not have enough food to eat. These irregular behaviors are unsuitable,unfriendly, displeasing and extreme - either over-consumption or under-consumption. These two extremes are hazardous to our health. Therefore, proper way to be followed is the middle way.
The Story of King Kosala
One day King Pasenadi Kosala went to the monastery to pay respect to the Buddha soon after having a very heavy meal. While he was in the presence of the Buddha, the king felt so drowsy that he kept on nodding. Then he said to the Buddha:
“Venerable Sir, I have been in great discomfort since I have taken my meal.”
Then the Buddha replied, “Yes, O . . . King, gluttons do suffer in this way.”
Then the Buddha taught him the advantage of moderation of food.ii
Classification of Overeaters:
Aṇguttara Nikāya commentary gives the following extreme classifications of overeaters:
- āhārahatthaka-one who eats until he has to be lifted by hand
- alaṃsātaka- one who eats until his loin-cloth cannot retaine
- tatthavattaka- one who has to roll where he eats
- kākamāsaka- one who eats until a crow pecks from his mouth
- bhuttavamitaka- one who eats until he vomitsiii
These people never get satisfaction by overeating, but yet amazingly they continue to attempt to satisfy temporarily the cravings in their mind by eating without control.
Even when overeating is not so extreme, but merely results in the body being a bit overweight, there is a similar abuse of food as a method of trying to satisfy the cravings in the mind. When overeating is a result of stress, the problem is the same: trying to calm the mind - to satisfy the craving for peace and enjoyment - by enjoying food. Overeating can also be a result of poor habits. These habits can form during childhood when parents try to quiet their children with food, or when parents allow frequent snacks, fatty foods, junk foods, and eating out of boredom, or when they serve full plates of food, or are otherwise indulgent with food.
Instead of trying to satisfy the mind with food, one can instead occupy and satisfy the mind with that which brings more lasting peace: charitable and meritorious acts such as service to the needy, studying and practicing spiritual and religious teachings, and meditation. Keeping occupied and happy with these activities, one thinks less about food. One should treat food as a medicine for the body, choosing foods that are most healing and nourishing rather than foods that simply satisfy the palate.
In the Ganaka-Moggallana Sutra, the Buddha explains the way of proper thinking pertaining to alms food:
“Come you, monks, be moderate in eating; you should take food reflecting carefully, not for fun or indulgence or personal charm or beautification, but taking just enough for maintaining this body and keeping it going . .”iv
Therefore, according to Buddhist teaching, eating for fun, indulgence or body-building, when the body does not need more food for proper nourishment, is not a good habit and cannot be praiseworthy. Moderation in food leads to a healthy, happy and long life.
References:
i Suka Jataka, No. 255, Jataka vol. II, (V. Fausboll ed.) P.T.S. London.
ii Samyutta Nikaya, Vol. 1, p. 81, P.T.S., London; Dhammapadatthakatha, Vol. III, P.T.S., London
iii Anguttara Nikayatthakatha, Vol. I, p. 50, P.T.S., London.
iv Majjhima Nikaya, Vol. III, P.T.S., London.