Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 142Serving Householders
Pāli / Sanskrit:Gihiveyyāvacca
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Sutta on Serving Householders
Gihiveyyāvacca (Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 142)
Background
The Sutta on Serving Householders (Gihiveyyāvacca) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the Pacittiya section, rules of practice concerning acts requiring light confession. This sutta reflects the early Buddhist context when the Sangha was newly formed and bhikkhus needed clear boundaries between the monastic life and secular life.
During this period, the Buddha Gotama established rules to instruct his disciples in proper conduct toward householders (gihīs), followers of the Buddha who still lived in families and had worldly work and responsibilities. Serving or assisting householders was a normal activity, but the manner of doing so had to accord with the monastic orientation of the Sangha.
Main Content
The Gihiveyyāvacca Sutta addresses situations in which bhikkhus interact with householders in everyday tasks. This rule emphasizes that serving or doing work for householders must be performed in a way proper to monastic practice, without allowing worldly activities to draw one away from the course of training.
Specifically, the rule warns that bhikkhus should not become so deeply involved in the affairs of householders that they forget the main purpose of the life of practice. If a bhikkhu unintentionally assists a householder beyond reasonable benefit or allows himself to be distracted by worldly dealings, this is considered an offense requiring confession.
This rule also relates to the principle of not becoming too deeply attached to worldly relationships or tasks, because this can lead to distraction of the mind and loss of focus on practice. The Buddhadharma emphasizes that relationships with the outside world must always be maintained in the light of wisdom and the orientation toward liberation.
Practical Meaning
The deep meaning of this sutta lies in teaching monastics, and to some extent householders who follow the Dharma, about balance in the life of practice.
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