Lzh Dg Bu Pm Pd 4Receiving Food in a Dangerous Region
Pāli / Sanskrit:Catutthapāṭidesanīya
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Explanation of the Catutthapāṭidesanīya Sutra
On Receiving Food in a Dangerous Region
Background
Catutthapāṭidesanīya is the fourth sutra in the group of Pāṭidesanīya rules, the four public confessions, belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. This sutra records an event in the Buddha’s life when he and his monastic disciples traveled through a remote region where practicing the Dharma involved many difficulties and dangers.
The background arose when some bhikkhus did not follow the rule in the way they received food in difficult places. They saw other bhikkhus violating the principle, but instead of correcting or reporting it, they remained silent. This caused discord within the Sangha and affected the common virtue of the Sangha Jewel.
Main Content
The Catutthapāṭidesanīya sutra concerns a violation related to receiving food under special circumstances. Specifically, it handles the case in which a bhikkhu receives food offered under abnormal conditions, such as from people with unclear motives, or in circumstances that may endanger the practice of the Dharma.
The central issue is silence and the failure to make public confession (pāṭidesanīya) by bhikkhus who clearly know of the violation but do not perform their duty. The Buddha reminds them that when one witnesses improper conduct by a fellow practitioner, each bhikkhu has the responsibility to make the matter known and guide the person back.
Specifically, this sutra states that if a bhikkhu takes advantage of a dangerous region to receive food in a manner contrary to the rule, such as receiving it from people intending harm or under circumstances that may undermine the ascetic life, and if other bhikkhus know this but do not publicly confess or address it, they too commit a pāṭidesanīya offense, meaning they must publicly acknowledge it before the Sangha.
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