Date: 08/23/2025 08/24/2025
Location: Star Ocean Meditation Center
Teacher: Otto Huang
Dharma Talk
The Gluttonous Bhikṣu
After the Parinirvāṇa of Śākyamuni Buddha, the Venerable Upagupta inherited the Tathāgata’s work of teaching and transforming. He continued to propagate the Dharma in the Nāṭavata Monastery within the land of Mathurā, guiding beings toward liberation.
Within the monastery was a certain bhikṣu who had cultivated for many years yet remained without attainment. In truth, he was not plagued by any grave transgressions—save for one: his greed for food and drink. While others were content with a single bowl of alms food, he always felt it insufficient. Even after eating his fill, he still craved more. At times, though his belly was already full, he would still ask others for offerings.
Seeing his junior companions, who had ordained after him, one by one attain realization, he grew deeply troubled. He came before the Venerable Upagupta and asked:
“Master, I have practiced the Buddha’s teaching with great diligence and hardship—why then have I still not attained the Way?”
The Venerable replied:
“It is precisely because of your gluttony that you have been unable to attain. But do not be disheartened. Tomorrow, I shall prepare a meal for you. Once you have finished it, I shall then speak the Dharma to you.”
The next morning, the bhikṣu rose early and hastened to the venerable’s abode. Seeing him arrive, the venerable brought forth a bowl filled to the brim with steaming millet porridge, placing beside it an empty basin. The porridge gave off clouds of steam and emitted a fragrance most enticing—it was clearly freshly cooked.
The Venerable said:
“This bowl of millet porridge is for you. You may consume it completely—make the bowl as empty as that basin beside it. But you must understand: it has just come off the stove. You must wait until it cools before eating.”
But the bhikṣu, upon smelling the aroma of the porridge, was overcome by craving. He feared that if he waited, others might come to share it. Thus, lowering his head toward the steaming bowl, he began to blow on it with great force, eager for it to cool quickly.
After but a short while, he impatiently asked:
“Master, it is cool now. May I eat it?”
The venerable gazed upon him and said:
“Though the porridge may have cooled by your breath, your heart remains inflamed. You must perceive this porridge as filth, or as plain water. Only then may your mind become cool and clear.”
The bhikṣu listened, somewhat bewildered. He seemed to grasp something, yet was unable to restrain himself. Lifting the bowl, he drank of the porridge—but it was too hot. Unable to bear it, he spat it out—right into the empty basin before him.
The venerable pointed to the porridge he had just spat out and said:
“Now, eat that which you have expelled.”
Startled, the bhikṣu exclaimed:
“Master! This is now impure—how could I possibly eat it?”
The venerable then said:
“You must regard all food and drink as if it were another’s mucus or vomit. Then shall your mind become purified. With a purified mind, you may penetrate the essential meaning of the Dharma, and attain the true path.”Upon hearing these words, the bhikṣu awakened with sudden clarity. He immediately resolved to cast off his greedy habits, diligently applied himself in practice, and swiftly advanced. Not long thereafter, he attained the fruit of Arhatship.
