Upp Np 20Bartering
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kayavikkaya
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The Sutta on Bartering (Kayavikkaya Nisggha)
From the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Tradition
Context
Kayavikkaya, bartering or trade, is an important disciplinary rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the supplementary section (Parivāra) of the Vinaya. This discourse was recorded to guide bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs concerning actions unsuitable to the life of practice. The Buddha witnessed bhikkhus engaging in trade and exchanging goods in the manner of worldly people, and from this arose rules to protect the purity of the Sangha.
In early Buddhism, maintaining the discipline of the renunciant community was essential, in order to distinguish the Sangha from worldly classes pursuing material profit. Therefore, rules about buying, selling, exchange, and business were included in the Vinaya Piṭaka as clear prohibitions, helping practitioners focus on the goal of liberation.
Main Content
The Kayavikkaya Sutta states that bhikkhus must not engage in trade or the exchange of goods like worldly people. Specifically, direct buying and selling, entering into transactions with the intention of making profit, is conduct that violates the spirit of going forth. Instead, if bhikkhus need essential requisites such as robes, food, medicine, or lodging, they should receive them from faithful supporters or from the Sangha in a proper way, not through personal transactions.
This rule includes: not directly buying or selling; not entering into commercial contracts; not accumulating property with the intention of doing business; and not acting like worldly merchants to obtain profit. If essential things are needed, bhikkhus must ask through a steward (kappiya karaṇa) or the Sangha, rather than personally taking part in transactions.
The important distinction is that the Vinaya Piṭaka allows the receiving of necessary requisites; what it forbids is the act of personally exchanging, buying, or selling. The purpose is to cut off craving, competitiveness, and the motives of gain that involvement in commerce brings.
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