Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 134Stingy With Families

Commentary on the Kulamaccharinī Scripture (The Scripture on Stinginess Toward Families)

Background

The Kulamaccharinī scripture is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code of the bhikkhus. This scripture reflects regulations concerning the ethical conduct of renunciants, especially in relation to the relationship between monastics and the families that provide food, clothing, medicine, and lodging for the Sangha.

In the historical context of India during the Buddha’s time, families who gave rise to faith and supported the Sangha were an important part of Buddhist life. However, interaction between a bhikkhu and a donor family could lead to abuses such as favoritism, unfair preference, or stingy behavior (maccharinī) in sharing benefits with fellow practitioners. Therefore, the Buddha established rules to protect purity and fairness within the Sangha.

Main Content

The Kulamaccharinī scripture addresses the situation in which a bhikkhu shows stinginess, that is, jealousy or lack of generosity when donor families support other communities of monastics, or when there is a certain preference shown to another bhikkhu. This stinginess may be expressed through negative speech, acts that obstruct support, or the creation of disharmony in the Sangha.

The rule states that a bhikkhu is not permitted to behave stingily toward families (maccharinī kulamaccharinī). This is a violation of one of the Pācittiya rules in the Pātimokkha, offenses requiring confession before the Sangha. This fault is regarded as conduct contrary to the Buddhist spirit, because it arises from desire, jealousy (issā), and possessiveness (macchariya).

According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, a bhikkhu who commits this offense must perform the rite of confession on the spot, or in more serious cases must present the violation before the entire Sangha in order to confess and ask forgiveness.