San Mg Bu Pm Pc 37Storing Food
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sannidhikāraka
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SANNIDHIKĀRAKA SUTTA: THE WAY OF STORING FOOD
Background
Sannidhikāraka (The Way of Storing Food) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pātimokkha (the fundamental rule) belonging to the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, concerning disciplinary regulations for female monastics. This discourse reflects specific situations that arose in the early monastic community, when the bhikkhunī Sangha needed to manage practical issues of daily life.
The background of this discourse arose when the Buddha and his disciples recognized that storing food for too long could lead to the habit of attachment to material things, contrary to the spirit of going forth. At the same time, some monastics took advantage of storing food for private gain or caused affliction within the community. Therefore, regulations were clearly established to maintain discipline and the spirit of practice.
Main Content
Sannidhikāraka is directly concerned with a monastic or monastic community storing food (annadinna--food that has been distributed). According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the main rules include:
First, the storing of food must have reasonable limits. A bhikkhunī must not keep food too long without consuming it, especially foods that spoil easily or are likely to produce worms and insects. This is not only a matter of discipline, but is also related to cleanliness and hygiene.
Second, the distinction between "storing for oneself" (attasammadannikā) and "storing in common for the community" (sāmaggikā) is very important. If a monastic stores food with private intention, this violates the spirit of shared property in the Sangha community. If it is for the community, the conditions are more agreed upon and public.
Third, the discourse states that storing food must not exceed a defined period of time (often six or seven days). After this time, if the food has not been consumed, it must be relinquished or handled according to the regulations.
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