Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Np 30Offerings Intended for the Sangha
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pariṇata
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Explanation of the Pariṇata Discourse
Diverted Offerings (Vinaya Piṭaka)
Background
The Pariṇata discourse is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the ethical rules for bhikkhunīs. This discourse is recorded in the Pācittiya section, concerning lighter offenses requiring confession, and addresses how offerings and meritorious donations given to the Saṅgha are to be handled.
The historical background of this discourse arose in the early period after the Buddha’s Nirvana. At that time, the Saṅgha was recognized by intellectuals, royalty, and early Buddhists, who made large-scale offerings. However, legal issues arose when individuals called for these offerings to be redirected into their own hands rather than left for the community. Therefore the Buddha established clear principles for handling offerings in order to protect integrity and equality within the Saṅgha.
Main Content
Pariṇata, meaning “diverted” or “transferred,” refers to the act of redirecting offerings intended for the Saṅgha to personal purposes or to a small group. The discourse stipulates that when an item or offering is given with the intention of being for the “Saṅgha,” the alteration of that intention or its redirection without the consent of the community is a wrongful act.
In particular, the discourse states clearly that if a bhikkhu, or a group of bhikkhus, arbitrarily converts offerings meant for the Saṅgha into their own property without following the formal procedure of the Saṅgha, they commit a Pācittiya offense. This includes cases such as taking a large portion of food intended for the community to eat privately, redirecting charitable funds, or using communal requisites for personal purposes.
The Vinaya Piṭaka teaches that the Saṅgha is a collective legal body, and the property of the Saṅgha must be managed with transparency and openness.
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