<p>In the <a href="http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh377-p.html#2Nutriment">Sammaditthi Sutta it describes the 4 nutriments</a>, and the first one - physical food as nutriment - is said to be "gross or subtle". What is the meaning of these terms?</p>

<p>I read that the term for nutriment (ahara) should be understood akin to paccaya (condition). So I am guessing that "gross or subtle" has something to do with the nature of food as conditionings?</p>

<p>Edit: The commentary adds that "And here, in a basis that is gross, the nutritive essence is limited and weak; in one that is subtle, it is strong" and "it is the basis that dispels fatigue, but it is unable to preserve; but the nutritive essence preserves, though it cannot dispel fatigue. But when the two are combined they both dispel fatigue and preserve."</p>

<pali-canon><sutras>
What is the meaning of "gross or subtle" physical food as nutriments?
# What is the meaning of "gross or subtle" physical food as nutriments?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-14)

In the [Sammaditthi Sutta it describes the 4 nutriments](http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh377-p.html#2Nutriment), and the first one - physical food as nutriment - is said to be "gross or subtle". What is the meaning of these terms?

I read that the term for nutriment (ahara) should be understood akin to paccaya (condition). So I am guessing that "gross or subtle" has something to do with the nature of food as conditionings?

Edit: The commentary adds that "And here, in a basis that is gross, the nutritive essence is limited and weak; in one that is subtle, it is strong" and "it is the basis that dispels fatigue, but it is unable to preserve; but the nutritive essence preserves, though it cannot dispel fatigue. But when the two are combined they both dispel fatigue and preserve."

**Tags:** pali-canon, sutras


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