A Philosophical Analysis of the Principle of Vikalabhojana in Theravada Buddhism
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Abstract
This research article aims to (1) examine the principle of Vikalabhojana in Theravāda Buddhism based on the Pāli Canon and its commentaries, (2) analyze its meanings and values in relation to monastic life and well-being, and (3) synthesize the principle as a philosophical proposition concerning self-regulation and the organization of desire.
This study employs a documentary research methodology, drawing upon primary sources from the Pāli Canon and commentarial texts, as well as related academic works. The data are analyzed through content analysis and interpreted within the frameworks of Buddhist philosophy and ethical theory.
The findings reveal that Vikalabhojana is not merely a disciplinary rule concerning the timing of food consumption, but rather a systematic practice of self-cultivation aimed at regulating desire and reducing attachment to the body. By restricting the temporal conditions of consumption, the principle functions as an internal disciplinary mechanism that cultivates moderation, self-restraint, and holistic well-being. In this sense, it can be understood as a form of virtue ethics that emphasizes balance and the cultivation of moral character.
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References
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