Upp Pc 10Diverting Gains
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pariṇāmana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Exposition of the Pariṇāmana Sutta (Transfer of Merit)
Context
The Pariṇāmana Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Upajjhaṭṭhānakhandhaka, the section regulating the duties of teachers. This is an important part of the early Vinaya Piṭaka, where the rules and principles of life of the Buddhist Sangha from the Buddha’s time are recorded.
This discourse concerns a subtle issue in practice: how to handle material gains (labha, lābha) and honors (sakkāra, sammāna) that a monastic may receive. The context arose when disciples provided for and supported monastics, but it was necessary to determine the proper way for these merits to be “transferred” (pariṇāmana) legitimately.
Main Content
Pariṇāmana, meaning “transformation” or “redirecting,” refers to a ritual or mental intention connected with transferring merit from one person to another. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this is often understood as the way a monastic may dedicate his merit to others, or handle material benefits in a spiritually conscious way.
This discourse affirms that the transfer of merit (pariṇāmanā) is valid and can bring good results if it is done with proper intention. What is important is that the motivation should not be greed or the hope of receiving something in return, but compassion (mettā) and the wish that others may benefit from wholesome actions.
The discourse also clearly points out that monastics should not store up or become excessively attached to articles and material benefits. Instead, they should keep the mind pure, unattached, and ready to relinquish everything when necessary. The transfer of merit is in essence a way of expressing this letting go.
Practical Meaning
For practitioners of early Buddhism today, the Pariṇāmana Sutta offers a profound lesson in non-attachment (anattaṁ) and altruism.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.