San Mu Bu Pm GBM 2 Pc 81Visiting Families Before a Meal
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cāritta
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The Cāritta Discourse: Proper Conduct Before a Meal
Background
The Cāritta discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, recording the rules of training that the Buddha Gotama issued for the Sangha. Cāritta means "conduct" or "manner," referring to what should or should not be done in the life of study and practice.
This discourse concerns a specific situation: when bhikkhus are preparing to eat, they need to follow conduct in keeping with the discipline before serving families or hospitable householders. This is part of the Pācittiya, minor offenses, in the Vinaya Piṭaka, where the Buddha teaches harmonious conduct and respect for those who provide material support for the monastics.
The background for this rule was that bhikkhus behaved improperly before eating, displeasing householders and causing a decline in faith. Out of compassion, the Buddha taught a proper way of conduct in order both to protect the concentration of practitioners and to respect the duty of those who make offerings.
Main Content
The Cāritta discourse prescribes that bhikkhus should not enter a householder's home directly without an invitation or without necessity. When mealtime approaches, a bhikkhu must maintain a pure manner: he should not speak noisily, should not appear eager, and should not show impatience before being invited. In particular, bhikkhus should avoid actions that leak information or create the impression that they are waiting for food.
This is not a matter of hardship in making a living, but of subtlety in social conduct. A bhikkhu truly engaged in practice keeps the mind pure, not because of food or expectation with a mind attached to status. If householders wish to invite him, they will do so voluntarily when they see that the bhikkhu possesses noble conduct.
This rule also protects the reputation of the Sangha, helping the public not to feel pressured or looked down upon by monastics who appear eager or lacking in refinement.
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