Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pd 4Asking for Butter

Sutra on Asking for Butter (Asking for Butter)

Explanation According to the Theravada Vinaya Tradition

Background

The Sutra on Asking for Butter belongs to the Pāṭimokkha Saṁvaraṇa section of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically among the Pācittiya rules, offenses requiring confession that monks and nuns must observe. The Vinaya Piṭaka records concrete situations that arose in the Buddha’s Sangha, from which principles of conduct suited to pure discipline were drawn.

The circumstance of this text occurred when the Buddha and his disciples were dwelling in a rural area. The monks needed butter, buttermilk, oil, or grease for food or medicinal purposes. However, the way they asked for butter caused disputes and inconvenience for householders and the local community, leading to complaints about an improper manner of requesting by the monks.

This is not a situation concerning crude greed or sensual craving, but one concerning method: the proper way a renunciant should approach the basic requisites needed for a pure life.

Main Content

According to the Pācittiya rule, when a monk needs butter or other fats for food or medicine, he should not directly approach a householder or servant and frankly or repeatedly urge them, saying, “Give me butter.” Even when well intentioned, such an act can create discomfort, offend the person being asked, and adversely affect the reputation of the Sangha Jewel.

Instead, the discipline encourages more tactful approaches: a monk may appoint another monk as an intermediary, or wait until the person voluntarily offers it, or use other means that are not direct and repeated. This reflects the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka: it does not forbid reasonable needs, but regulates the manner so that it accords with grace, calm, and respect.