Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pd 3Receiving Food From Designated Families
Pāli / Sanskrit:Tatiyapāṭidesanīya
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The Tatiyapāṭidesanīya Sutta: Regulation on Receiving Food From Designated Families
Background
The Tatiyapāṭidesanīya Sutta, the third regulation concerning declaration, belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon and is an important part of the legal discipline (Vinaya) of the Theravāda tradition. This text records rules concerning how bhikkhus receive food from specific lay families. It is one of the important steps in refining the ethical rules of the Sangha, reflecting the Buddha’s warning against abuses that might arise from favoritism or the misuse of cooperation between the Sangha and laypeople.
The historical formulation of this sutta is connected with specific stories in the Pāli Canon, where undisciplined bhikkhus exploited the trust of families, leading to misunderstandings and discord. The Buddha, in unsurpassed wisdom, gave clear rules to protect both the Sangha and laypeople from such mistakes.
Main Content
The Tatiyapāṭidesanīya Sutta stipulates that bhikkhus should not designate or emphasize to laypeople, “Please prepare special food for me.” Specifically, the sutta forbids bhikkhus from receiving food from families with whom they have made prior arrangements to receive certain kinds of food, especially valuable or delicious kinds such as oil, butter, honey, or special rice dishes.
This regulation emphasizes the principle of Pāṭidesanīya (paṭidesanīya), meaning “to be openly confessed.” If a bhikkhu violates this regulation, he must openly confess the fault before the whole Sangha. This is not a Pārājika violation, an irrecoverable defeat, but a violation requiring correction of attitude.
The deeper purpose of this regulation is to prevent actions that could make the Sangha appear greedy or unsuited to a humble life.
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