Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Np 24Bribing Weavers
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mahāpesakāra
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The Mahāpesakāra Sutta: On Bribing Weavers
Background
The Mahāpesakāra Sutta, the rule concerning bribery, belongs to the Pāli Canon, specifically the Vinaya Piṭaka, and reflects the disciplinary regulations of the Theravada Buddhist Sangha. This text records an event in the earliest monastic community concerning unethical conduct by bhikkhunis.
This background appears when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī, where the Sangha often had contact with laypeople. The situation arose when nuns needed sewing and repair of under-robes (kāsāva), and they tried to find a way to have this done in a manner not in keeping with the spirit of the religious life.
Main Content
The text describes a specific situation: the nuns tried to "bribe" the weavers by giving them large gifts (pesakāra meaning "payment, excessive compensation") in exchange for having robe cloth (sabbaraṇi) sewn outside the normal schedule. This act violated the principle of restraint in the use of property and was an abuse of their influence.
When the Buddha learned of this, he issued a clear regulation (adhikaraṇa-samatha) in the Vinaya. The text states clearly that monastics, whether bhikkhus or bhikkhunis, are not permitted to buy off or bribe others in order to receive special favor, regardless of the reason. This violates the five basic precepts, especially the precepts against falsehood and misuse of Sangha property.
This regulation does not stop merely at prohibiting the specific act, but extends the principle: monastics must live by making fair requests and must not abuse social relationships to achieve personal aims. Bribery is regarded as a form of "wrong view" (micchādiṭṭhi), using improper means to obtain a result.
Practical Meaning
The deep meaning of this text lies in its emphasis on moral integrity in the religious life.
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