Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 24Storing Food
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sannidhikāraka
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An Explanation of the Sannidhikāraka Discourse (The Discourse on Storing Food)
Background
The Sannidhikāraka discourse belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka, specifically the Pātimokkha, the basic rules of practice for bhikkhus. This discourse is recorded among the Pārājika and Pācittiya rules, offenses that must be reviewed and confessed. In its historical context, the Buddha promulgated these regulations in order to maintain the purity of the Sangha and prevent potential faults in the monastic life.
The term "Sannidhikāraka" (সন্নিধিকারক) means "storing" or "keeping," referring to the act of storing food. This matter may seem minor, but it touches the core principle of Buddhist practice: restraint, non-greed, and truly independent living. The storing of too much food by bhikkhus can lead to other violations of the discipline or obscure the ideal of practice.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya Pitaka, a bhikkhu is not permitted to store food for following days, except in certain special permitted cases. Specifically, a bhikkhu is allowed to keep only enough food for the meal of that day, or for special necessary cases, such as illness or another valid reason.
The reason behind this regulation is to prevent greed (lobha) and the quality of "possessiveness" (upādāna) in the minds of monastics. When a person stores too much food, he begins to worry about protecting property, fears loss, or develops a mentality of ownership, which Buddhism regards as a root of suffering.
In addition, storing food also has a practical aspect: if bhikkhus store food for many days, this can lead to waste or spoilage. In reality, the Vinaya also aims to educate monastics to live practically and responsibly with the resources given to them.
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