Lzh Dg Bi Pm Np 11Bartering

Explanation of the Kayavikkaya Scripture (Bartering)

Background

Kayavikkaya is a text belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, located in the section of Nissaggiya Pācittiya rules (training rules involving forfeiture and confession). This scripture is recorded to guide the community of monks and nuns regarding conduct inappropriate to the pure life of practice.

The formative context of this scripture arose from specific situations in the monastic community during the Buddha's lifetime. Bhikkhus engaged in actions related to exchange and trade using the body or personal items, which was not in keeping with the spirit of renunciation and material relinquishment. After the Blessed Buddha learned of these matters, he established rules (pācittiya) to regulate monastic conduct.

Main Content

Kayavikkaya concerns the prohibition against bhikkhus participating in activities of buying, selling, bartering goods, or using the body as a means of gain. Specifically, this scripture concerns the fact that a bhikkhu should not participate in commercial transactions, or use his own body to give or exchange with others for the sake of benefit.

Prohibited acts include: trading practice requisites, exchanging clothing or personal items for profit, and even using personal reputation and prestige to draw others into commercial transactions. Such conduct is regarded as a violation of Nissaggiya Pācittiya--a type of training rule requiring the offender to forfeit (nissaggiya) the related item and perform confession (pācittiya) before the assembly.

The scripture emphasizes that all these transactions, even if they seem minor, reflect greed and attachment to worldliness, which is wholly contrary to the nature of Buddhism--contemplating impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anattā).

Practical Meaning

Kayavikkaya is not merely a simple disciplinary rule.