Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 148Serving Householders

SUTRA ON SERVING HOUSEHOLDERS (GIHIVEYYĀVACCA)

Background

The Sutra on Serving Householders (Gihiveyyāvacca) is recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pācittiya section, one of the divisions of the Pātimokkha, the basic code for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. This sutra concerns regulations on the manner in which monastics serve and interact with householders, that is, those who follow Buddhism while still living family life.

The background for the arising of this sutra came from situations in the early community of monks and nuns, when questions concerning service, hospitality, and communication with laypeople needed to be clarified in order to preserve the spirit of practice. These rules are intended to protect both the purity of the monastics and the respect due to faithful householders.

Main Content

The Gihiveyyāvacca Sutra revolves around a basic principle: bhikkhus should not allow themselves to become instruments for the selfish purposes of householders, nor should they create opportunities for laypeople to expect improper services from monastics.

The sutra states that when monastics serve householders, clear boundaries must be maintained between impartial support for the Dharma and dependence or selfish purpose. In particular, bhikkhus must avoid actions that may make householders think they are trying to gain personal benefit through service or displays of affection.

The specific situations mentioned by the sutra include: not allowing oneself to be used as an instrument to increase the power or reputation of a particular householder; not accepting privileges or improper preference that could create unfairness in the monastic community; and not allowing personal benefits, great or small, to influence decisions about service.

This sutra also emphasizes that service to laypeople must arise from loving-kindness (mettā) and the purpose of helping them advance on the Buddhist path, not from any other reason.