Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Sk 59Satkṛtya sūpaṁ pratigṛhīṣyāma

Exposition of the Satkṛtya Sūpaṁ Pratigṛhīṣyāma Sutta

Background

The Satkṛtya Sūpaṁ Pratigṛhīṣyāma Sutta (Reflections on Rice and Curry Respectfully Offered) is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition, the Pāli Canon. This sutta records the Buddha's instructions to bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs concerning how to behave and how to arouse the proper intention when receiving food from faithful laypeople.

In the context of the early years of the Sangha, the Buddha understood that the relationship between those who had gone forth and householders was not merely a material matter. It was an occasion to train the mind, to develop gratitude, humility, and clarity of thought. Therefore this sutta speaks not only about technical rules for receiving rice and curry, but also highlights the qualities to be cultivated in order to preserve the purity of the Sangha and nourish contemplative understanding.

Main Content

This sutta emphasizes that when a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī receives a portion of rice and curry (sūpa) respectfully offered by laypeople, one must have six kinds of reflection (satkṛtya, that is, six careful recollections):

First, one must remember that we receive this food not out of greed, not out of delight in taste, but because it is necessary to sustain the life of practice. Second, one must carefully remember that the laypeople have offered this food with aspiration, through their own labor; therefore we must be worthy of that trust. Third, one must remember the merit of those who came before, those who practiced according to the Dharma and left us the heritage of the Teaching. Fourth, one must carefully remember the purpose of one's own practice: to remove calamity and pass beyond the round of birth and death.

In addition, the sutta reminds monastics that while receiving and using food, they must regularly examine greed, hatred, and delusion, the basic afflictions of the mind.