和尚吃十方

和尚吃十方:

Literally means:

buddhist monks gain their food from far and near; lead a parasitic life.

Actually means:

It is said in Buddhist scripture that there're 十方 (ten directions) in universe with Shangxia (upward and downward) added into 八方, (the eight points of the compass).

The Buddhist monks usually live on contributions from the believers far and near.

吃十方 then means relying on others for living without any working at all. It also refers to reaping unjust profits everywhere.

Sometimes it is abbreviated as 吃十方. It carries a sense of derogatory.

佛经里有“八方上下为十方”。和尚靠四面八方的信徒捐钱捐物过日子，称为“吃十方”。

和尚吃十方，比喻自己不劳动，靠各方面的人养活。也指到处捞好处。

可简略为“吃十方”。具有贬义色彩。