Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Ss 4Encouraging Someone to Serve One’s Desires
Pāli / Sanskrit:Attakāmpāricariya
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An Interpretation of the Attakāmpāricariya Sutta (Encouraging Service to One’s Own Desires)
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Saṅghādisesa section, the rules of practice related to the conduct of monks. The background of this sutta is that monks in the Buddha’s community began to perform acts not in accord with the teaching, especially encouraging others to pursue personal desires rather than turn toward the Buddhist path.
The title “Attakāmpāricariya” is translated as “Encouraging Service to One’s Own Desires.” The word “atta” means self or personal, “kāma” refers to sensual desires (kāma-taṇhā), and “pāricariya” means service or attendance. This sutta deals with a very subtle issue of practice: when monks become close to outsiders, they may be drawn into encouraging those people to pursue human pleasures instead of practicing the Dharma.
Main Content
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, the prohibition (Saṅghādisesa) is clearly defined: a monk must not encourage or assist a layperson or anyone else to pursue sensual desires such as sexual desire (kāma), improper material gain, or actions harmful to practice. This act is considered a serious violation because it weakens the path of practice of the Sangha community.
The sutta states clearly that a monk should not:
- Advise or guide others to pursue sensual pleasures
- Help someone so that they may engage in improper pleasures
- Conceal or protect such actions by another person
The spirit of this rule goes deeper: a monk who has set foot on the path of practice must maintain sincerity in guiding spiritual seekers, including laypeople. He cannot claim to follow the Buddha-Dharma while encouraging actions contrary to the spirit of awakening.
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