Lzh Mu Bi Pm Np 26Exchanging Personal Property
Pāli / Sanskrit:Puggalikacetāpana
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Sutra on Exchanging Personal Property (Puggalikacetāpana)
Context
This sutra is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vinaya. Its context appears when the Buddha and the monks and nuns were living collectively and needed to manage communal and personal property in a reasonable way. The exchange or transfer of property among members of the community of practice gave rise to issues concerning discipline, fairness, and moral integrity.
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, the main purpose is to guide the Sangha in handling specific cases so as to maintain harmony, prevent disputes, and ensure that practice is not obstructed by material conflicts. This sutra concerns the question: When is the exchange of personal property among bhikkhunīs permitted, when is it forbidden, and what conditions must be observed for that action to be lawful according to the discipline?
Main Content
In the Puggalikacetāpana Sutra, the Buddha sets forth principles for managing and exchanging personal property among members of the Sangha. The personal property (puggalika-bhoga) of bhikkhunīs includes requisites necessary for practice, such as robes, bowls, cloths, sandals, and other daily items.
This sutra stipulates that the exchange of property must take place transparently and not arbitrarily. When there is an exchange or transfer of personal property, bhikkhunīs must inform the Sangha or those in authority. This is intended to avoid misunderstandings, suspicions, or concealed actions related to ownership.
This rule also states that one may not use deceitful methods or pressure to exchange or take away another’s property. The exchange must be based on voluntary and fair consent from both sides. In addition, bhikkhunīs may not exchange property in a way that affects the common benefit of the community or violates the rules concerning the management of communal property (Saṅgha-bhoga).
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