Lzh Mi Bu Vb Pc 43Sabhojanakulasthānaṁ

Explanation of the Sabhojanakulasthānaṁ Text

Background

The Sabhojanakulasthānaṁ text, concerning the residence of a household that eats together, is found in the Pātimokkha, the collection of fundamental rules of ethical cultivation for the Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. Specifically, it belongs to the Pācittiya rules, those related to offenses requiring confession in the Vinaya Piṭaka. These are practical guidelines established by the Buddha to preserve the diligence of bhikkhus in daily life, especially in matters related to food and residence.

The title points to situations that occur when bhikkhus reside or eat at the homes of families who like to have monks share meals with them. In that context, the Buddha taught matters to be observed in order to avoid greed, excess, or conduct unworthy of one gone forth.

Main Content

The Sabhojanakulasthānaṁ text sets forth disciplinary norms concerning the attitude of a bhikkhu when invited into the homes of householders who have the custom of supporting and providing food for the Sangha. The core of the text is a warning that bhikkhus should not:

First, they should not actively request or wish to be invited into a house for a meal, nor exploit a relationship with a householder to obtain material benefit. This is an expression of greed and dependence on the world, contrary to the spirit of renunciation.

Second, when invited into a house, a bhikkhu must preserve a mind of compassion and should not show excessive delight or create an opportunity for the householder to incur too much expense for the meal. The bhikkhu should receive food with a humble mind, not relying on familiarity with the householder.

Third, the text emphasizes that a bhikkhu should not depend on or create economic strain for a particular household, because this leads to worldly attachment and the loss of independent wisdom in practice.