Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 27Receiving Even Level
Pāli / Sanskrit:Samatittika
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Exposition of the Samatittika Sutta (Receiving at an Even Level)
Background
The Samatittika Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the legal component of the traditional Buddhist Three Baskets. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to regulate the life of the community of bhikkhus (Bhikkhu Saṅgha) and bhikkhunīs (Bhikkhunī Saṅgha), helping practitioners on the path to liberation.
This sutta is recorded in the detailed disciplinary collections, especially the rules concerning how to receive and handle requisites necessary for the life of practice. The background of Samatittika concerns the principle of fairness and equality in the Sangha community, a basic principle in Theravāda Buddhism. All who have gone forth, whether they shaved their heads long ago or have newly entered the assembly, are treated fairly in the distribution of Sangha property (Saṅgha-bhoga).
Main Content
Samatittika (samatā + titika = equality + level/category) refers to the principle of “receiving at an even level” or “equal distribution.” In the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, when the community of monks and nuns receives necessary requisites such as robes, food, medicine, or donated property, these should be divided fairly and evenly.
This principle reflects a central teaching of the Buddha: no discrimination, no inequality. Whether one has long seniority in practice or has newly joined, whether one has great merit or no accomplishments, when property is received by the community, each person deserves an equal share. This differs from worldly life, where property is divided according to status, merit, or power.
This rule also prescribes that there must be no favoritism or discrimination in the process of distribution. Those giving counsel must not act out of self-interest or bias due to personal affection. The principle of Samatittika trains practitioners to overcome attachment, greed, and the inequalities that can arise in the community.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of Samatittika goes beyond the distribution of material goods alone.
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