Lzh Mi Bi Vb Ss 9Encouraging Receiving Food From One With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kiṁ te avassuto vā anavassuto vā
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The Sutta on Encouraging the Receiving of Alms From One With a Lustful Mind
Background
This sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Nissaggiya Pācittiya section, the rules concerning required forfeiture and confession. These are detailed regulations for bhikkhus in receiving alms meals from people whose minds are affected by desire (rāga, avassuto).
The historical background shows that in the early period, the Buddhist Sangha encountered the following situation: some people who were about to go forth, or some devotees, wished to offer rice and goods to bhikkhus because of desire or other motives. The question "Kiṁ te avassuto vā anavassuto vā" (Are you one with desire or not?) became a tool for bhikkhus to discern the true motive in the mind of the donor.
Main Content
This rule teaches bhikkhus that when someone wishes to offer an alms meal, the monastic should skillfully ask: "Do you have a mind of desire or not?" This question is not meant to reject or drive the person away, but to clarify the meaning of the act of offering.
If the person answers by acknowledging that they have desire or impure motives, the bhikkhu may still receive the meal, but must make this clear. What is important is transparency: not concealing, and not creating the appearance that the offering is made from faith or wisdom when in reality it has another purpose.
This rule reflects a basic principle of Theravāda Buddhism: the purity and clarity of the mind (cittasuddhi). A bhikkhu should not fall into the trap of suspicion or self-deception. If he wishes to receive food from one with a mind of desire, he must know this clearly and have a legitimate reason, such as not rejecting someone in need or having an opportunity to guide that person.
Practical Meaning
This sutta teaches a profound lesson about clear knowing (pajānāti) in practice. Not every offering of alms food arises from trust or faith (saddhā). A bhikkhu practicing the pure Vinaya must know: is his own mind truly pure when receiving these meritorious offerings?
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