Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

On Austerities 31'ONE-EATING'How does one undertake to observe (the austerity of) 'one-eating'?Eating in two places, eating frequently, taking food frequently, washing thebowl frequently — the opposite of these is 'one-eating'. This is an observanceof good men. This observance is doubt-free. One sees the faults (of eatingat two places etc.) and the merits of the observance of 'one-eating' (and undertakesthus:) "I abandon eating at two places from today and observe (theausterity of) 'one-eating'".What are the benefits of the observance of 'one-eating'? One takesneither more nor less. One is not greedy of improper offerings, is not troubledwith many ills, is untroubled as regards livelihood, and is happy. This is anobservance of good men. This observance is doubt-free.Q. What is the observance of 'one-eating'? What are the limits? 1How does one fail?A. There are three limits: sitting-limit, water-limit, food-limit.What is 'sitting-limit'?After one ends eating one (cannot) sit again.After a bhikkhu fetches water and washes his bowl, he cannot eat again.This is called 'water-limit'. What is 'food-limit'? After one thinks: "Thislump of food is the last," he should not drink or eat any more. This is called'food-limit'.If a bhikkhu sits twice, except in taking liquid-medicine and such otherthings, he fails in the observance of 'one-eating'. This has been disapprovedby the Buddhas. This is called 'food-limit'.'MEASURED FOOD'How does one undertake to observe (the austerity of) 'measured food'?If a bhikkhu drinks and eats too much, he increases sleepiness, always hankersfor much food, and sets no limit to his appetite. One sees these faults andthe merits of the observance of 'measured food' (and undertakes thus:) "Fromtoday, I take food without greed, and observe (the austerity of) 'measuredfood'". This is called undertaking to observe (the austerity of) 'measuredfood'.What are the benefits of the observance of 'measured food'? Onemeasures one's meal. One does not eat for belly's sake. One knows thattoo much eating induces fatigue and therefore one does not desire much, andcauses diseases to perish, and abandons rigidity. This is an observance ofgood men. This observance is doubt-free.Q. What is the observance of 'measured food'? How does one fail?1. Cp. Vis. Mag. 69.