Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 64Visiting Families Before a Meal
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cāritta
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THE CĀRITTA SUTTA: VISITING FAMILIES BEFORE A MEAL
Background
The Cāritta Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic ethical code of the monastic community. This is the legal domain of Theravāda Buddhism, regulating the way bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs live within the Sangha community.
This sutta records the Buddha’s teachings on the practice of monastics when visiting lay families before mealtime. These are not harsh rules, but guidelines to help monastics maintain self-control, preserve the honor of the Sangha, and build trust with lay followers (upāsaka, upāsikā).
This context reflects an important aspect of monastic life: the interaction between the Sangha and lay devotees. Bhikkhus need to maintain discipline in every daily action, including visits to families to explain the Dharma or receive charitable food.
Main Content
The Cāritta Sutta addresses the standards of conduct (cāritta) that bhikkhus should observe when visiting the families of devotees, especially before the main meal (bhattakāla). These are subtle rules concerning:
First, the time of visiting: bhikkhus should not arrive too early or too late, especially when the family is preparing a meal. Visiting at an unsuitable time may inconvenience the householders and give rise to social misunderstandings.
Regarding attitude and conduct, monastics must maintain calm and dignity. They must not show greed or excessive interest in food. They should not prolong a visit beyond the reception area, and especially should not enter the family’s private areas unless specifically invited.
Regarding the purpose of visiting, bhikkhus should aim at teaching the Dharma and considering the spiritual needs of the householders, rather than pursuing personal motives.
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