Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 89Stingy With Families
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kulamaccharinī
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Explanation of the Kulamaccharinī Sutta (The Sutta on Stinginess With Families)
Background
The Kulamaccharinī Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pācittiya section, prohibitions requiring subsequent confession. This sutta was recorded in the context of the Buddha establishing rules of practice for bhikkhunīs.
The word “Kulamaccharinī” includes “kula” (family, donor household) and “maccharī” (stinginess, resentment, selfishness). The title of this sutta reflects a psychological issue that some bhikkhunīs encountered while living in community and interacting with other practitioners as well as with supporting families.
The historical context shows that in the early Sangha, not everyone who practiced had a compassionate and generous mind. Some still retained negative states such as greed, hatred, and delusion even after going forth. This led to small conflicts concerning the division of resources, rights, and recognition.
Main Content
The Kulamaccharinī Sutta regulates communal resources and the way bhikkhunīs must share practice requisites and daily necessities. Specifically, this prohibition concerns a bhikkhunī not monopolizing items distributed for the community out of stinginess, or intentionally hiding them for personal benefit.
Through this sutta, the Buddha emphasizes that stinginess (maccharī) toward the family of practice is an ethical violation. If a bhikkhunī deliberately creates difficulty for her sisters in the community by refusing to share or distribute resources, or tries to secure private benefit without concern for common needs, this action must be publicly confessed (pācittiya).
This rule reflects the principle of Sangha, a community of practice based on equality, mutual trust, and sharing. That is the foundation of a stable community of practice.
Practical Meaning
The principle of the Kulamaccharinī Sutta extends beyond the past.
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