Lzh Mu Bi Vb Ss 5Encouraging Receiving Food From One With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kiṁ te avassuto vā anavassuto vā
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The Sutta on Beneficial Conduct When Receiving Food from One with Craving
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, in the Suttavibhaṅga — the section that explains in detail each rule of the monastic discipline for bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of prohibitions, but deep guidance in ethical and spiritual-psychological practice. The Pāli title is “Kiṁ te avassuto vā anavassuto vā” (“Do you discern clearly or not clearly?”), raising a question about the understanding of those gone forth when receiving food from people still bound by craving — the mind of desire and sensual lust.
This is a vivid picture of the earliest context of the Buddhist Sangha, when bhikkhus had to go on almsround daily. The question raised is not whether the food is clean or unclean, but the mental state of the giver and the spiritual effect it may have.
Main Content
In the spirit of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, the issue discussed revolves around the question: can a bhikkhu receive food with peace of mind from someone whose mind is still bound by craving — avassuto, bound by the habit-energy of craving — or not? This is an examination of the giver’s mind, not merely of the act of giving.
In Buddhist terminology, “avassuto” refers to those possessed by the bonds of ignorance (saṁyojana) — defilements not yet abandoned. By contrast, “anavassuto” is one who has gone beyond these bonds. This sutta considers the likely question: what permits or does not permit such receiving?
In essence, Theravāda Buddhism does not forbid a bhikkhu to receive food from anyone, provided the food is offered properly, not through exploitation or violence. However, this sutta emphasizes that receiving must be accompanied by clear understanding — the bhikkhu must be aware that even if the donor is still affected by craving, offering food to a monastic is an act of merit.
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