Lzh Mi Bi Pm Ss 8Receiving Food With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Avassutā avassutassa
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The Sutta on Receiving Food with Greed
Background
The sutta "Avassutā avassutassa" (Receiving Food with Greed) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Pāli Canon, and reflects ethical regulations concerning how bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs receive offerings, especially food (bhatta). In the context of Buddhist discipline, the way alms are received is not merely a physical act, but is directly related to the mind and intention of the practitioner.
This sutta is recorded in the legal texts of the Buddhist Sangha, in order to maintain the purity and dignity of the monastic community. According to the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is the foundation of Sangha discipline, educating bhikkhus about what should be avoided and what should be done to protect both the Sangha body and one’s own spiritual progress.
Main Content
"Avassutā avassutassa" describes the state of a bhikkhu receiving food while the mind is bound by greed (lobha) and unwholesome desire (chanda). The word "avassuta" means "uncontrolled, not well governed," referring to mental states not overcome and unwholesome consciousness (akusala citta). When food is received under the influence of attachment and craving, this act is considered a violation of the spirit of the humble discipline that Buddhists should observe.
This sutta emphasizes that the difference between receiving in accordance with the Dharma and receiving contrary to the Dharma does not lie in the food itself, but in the intention of the recipient. A bhikkhu should receive food with an equanimous attitude, clearly knowing that food is only a means to maintain health for the continuation of practice in the true Dharma. If greed arises at the time of receiving, craving deliciousness, rarity, or abundance, then the act becomes ethically unmindful and denies the principle of humility that the Sangha must maintain.
Practical Meaning
The sutta "Avassutā avassutassa" is not only an administrative rule, but also a profound lesson in managing the mind.
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