Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 70Diverting Gains
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pariṇāmana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Kinh Pariṇāmana: The Transformation of Merit
Context
The Pariṇāmana Sutta is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the section on Pācittiya—the rules of training that require confession and expiation. This text records situations pertaining to the handling and transformation of offerings, gains, and benefits presented by others to the Sangha or to individual bhikkhus.
Within the context of the monastic community during the time of Śākyamuni Buddha, when lay devotees sincerely offered material goods, money, or benefits to the Sangha, the question of how to make proper use of such merit became essential. The Pariṇāmana was established to guide bhikkhus that they should not appropriate or personally make use of gifts intended for the collective Sangha, but must instead transform (pariṇāmana) that merit in accordance with the proper principles of the monastic community and the intention of the lay donor.
Principal Content
Pariṇāmana in Pāli means "transformation," "transference," or "dedication of merit." This text stipulates that when a bhikkhu receives gains offered by a lay person and intended for the Sangha, the bhikkhu may not make personal use of them, but must clearly declare that he is transforming—or dedicating the merit of—these benefits to the entire Sangha or to those persons designated by the donor.
Specifically, if a lay person brings money or precious material goods, the receiving bhikkhu must make his intention explicitly known: "I dedicate these benefits to the entire Sangha," or "I transfer this merit to the senior monastics," as appropriate to the original intention of the lay donor. This practice ensures integrity, guards against greed, and accords with the spirit of the democratic Sangha.
This rule reflects a foundational principle of Buddhist monastic life: an individual bhikkhu should not accumulate personal property or personal gain. Whatever is received belongs to the Sangha or is to be used for the common benefit. If the public transference of merit is not performed, the bhikkhu may be charged with a Pācittiya offense—a fault requiring confession before the Sangha.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.