The Principle of Mattaññută with the Guarantee of Food Security in the Buddhist Perspective

Abstract

This article aims to present the principles of food security in the modern world with the doctrine of Buddhism: food and the principle of Mattaññută, and analyze the collateral for food security according to the principle of Mattaññută. In this regard, it applies in the current situation. By using the documentary studies method from Tripitaka and related academic sources, and descriptive analysis. The results had found that: food security is when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary need and food preference for an active and healthy life.  There are four pillars of food security as follows: (1) food availability, (2) food access (3) food utilization, and (4) food stability. In this context, Food in Buddhist’s view is nutriment, which there are four kinds: (1) KavaỊinkărăhăra: material physical nutriment, (2) Phassăhăra: nutriment consisting of contact, (3) Manosañcetanăhăra: nutriment consisting of mental volition and (4) Viññănahăra: nutriment consisting of consciousness. The principle of Mattaññută is moderation is an important teaching of Buddhism in food consumption, which is consumed for good health, and physical balance. It has the benefits of living and supporting the Dhamma practice. As result, therefore, Buddhism emphasizes the consumption of values, based on the principle of self-sufficiency, and it is known as sufficiency consumption. by access to these food sources, which must be based on a life, abstain from a criminal occupation, and good governance. When there is a right liver hood in life, adequacy is born. Food utilization according to the principle of Mattaññută is the overview of food consumption with wisdom, emphasizing the consumption of the true value of food based on self-sufficiency, and not focused on responding to cravings. Food stability according to the principle of Mattaññută is the principle of intellectual stability used in the middle path, which is the right way to live and be mindful to recognize consumption.