Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 82Visiting Families Before a Meal

Cāritta Sutta: On the Rule for Monks’ Meals

Background

The Cāritta Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the portion of scripture that regulates the detailed communal life of the Sangha. The title of this sutta, roughly translated as “On Conduct—Proper Behavior,” particularly concerns rules of deportment when bhikkhus practice almsround at lay households before the formal midday meal.

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, these provisions are not rules imposed mechanically, but guidelines by which bhikkhus in training maintain collectedness, preserve virtue, and carry out their mission of teaching the Dharma. Household heads (gṛhasthas) are devoted laypeople who offer food for the purpose of accumulating merit, while bhikkhus receive it with compassion and with the intention to teach the Dharma.

Main Content

The Cāritta Sutta states that when bhikkhus visit families before the main meal, for minor alms or small alms-visits, they should observe standards of dignified conduct. This includes maintaining an attitude of compassion, not requesting specific dishes, not indicating the kinds of food they desire, and not disturbing householders over personal matters.

The Vinaya stipulates that almsgoing bhikkhus must remember that they live by the compassion of the community. Therefore, their actions should reach the highest degree of purity and humility. There should be no bargaining, no taking advantage of householders’ kindness, and no greed or selfishness. In particular, when going to homes before the main meal, a bhikkhu should know the proper time, not arriving so early as to trouble the householders’ cooking, nor showing gluttony or resentment if nothing is offered.

This rule is also connected with the principle of Dhamma, the Dharma: almsround is not a right belonging to one in training, but an opportunity to cultivate kindness, patience, and freedom from craving.