Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Np 24Bribing Weavers

MAHĀPESAKĀRA SUTTA - EXPLANATION

Background

The Mahāpesakāra Sutta, the great weaver, is a normative rule (Pātimokkha) in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. This sutta records an event from the time of the Buddha Gotama, concerning a bhikkhu and a mistaken action in trying to resolve a material difficulty. This event became the basis for the Buddha to establish a training rule in order to protect the community of bhikkhus, cultivate morality, and prevent actions capable of harming the reputation of the Sangha.

The historical background shows that the Buddha did not create rules arbitrarily, but established necessary rules through specific events. Each rule has an origin story (nidāna), reflecting the ethical challenges encountered by the Sangha in the course of practice and communal living.

Main Content

In this sutta, a bhikkhu encountered material difficulty. To resolve his need, perhaps the need for new clothing, this bhikkhu engaged in bribery or tried to gain improper advantage from weavers (pesakāra). Although this action arose from a real need, it violated the basic principle of honesty and of not asking in an improper way.

After learning of the matter, the Buddha taught that a bhikkhu is not permitted to:

1. Use improper means to obtain material gain
2. Promise or offer benefits in order to bribe women, artisans, or others
3. Harm the reputation of the Sangha through actions connected with greed

This rule emphasizes that, although bhikkhus are supported by faithful donors (dāyaka), they must not use unrighteous means to maximize benefit. Purity in receiving material things is necessary.

Practical Meaning

The Mahāpesakāra Sutta teaches that a practitioner of the Buddhadharma cannot build a firm spiritual practice while using improper means to obtain gain, whether small or great.