Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 91Diverting Gains
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pariṇāmana
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Pariṇāmana Sutta: Explanation of Diverted Gains
Background
In the traditional Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, especially in the Pātimokkha, the disciplinary code of bhikkhus, there is an important rule concerning how to handle material gains received by bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Pariṇāmana Sutta, “Diverting Gains,” belongs to the Pācittiya class, a lighter offense requiring confession under certain conditions.
The background arose when the Buddha and his disciples were practicing in monasteries, and questions of ownership, use, and transfer of offerings emerged. This rule reflects the practical nature of the Sangha, a monastic community living on the offerings of laypeople, yet needing to maintain spiritual purity and strict observance.
Main Content
The rule on Pariṇāmana, the diverting or redirecting of gains, concerns the case in which a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī receives material gains, such as robes, food, or other requisites from laypeople, and has the ability to “redirect” (pariṇāmeti) these gains to others in the Sangha or to worthy persons.
However, the rule clearly states that a bhikkhu must not divert these gains into personal property for accumulation or private use, nor redirect them arbitrarily to people outside the Sangha in order to create advantage for himself. If he has an intention of self-benefit in carrying out this redirection, that is an offense.
The core principle here is that the redirecting of gains must be done with a pure mind, for the common purpose of the Sangha or to serve the spiritual practice of worthy persons, not out of greed for gain or desire for fame.
Practical Meaning
The Pariṇāmana Sutta teaches us a deep lesson about “renunciation” (nekkhamma): not accumulating property, and not clinging to material gains.
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