San Mu Bu Pm GBM 3 Sk 8Evenly All Around (2nd)
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaparimaṇḍala
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Interpretation of the Dutiyaparimaṇḍala Discourse
(Even Circle All Around - The Second Time)
Background
The Dutiyaparimaṇḍala discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the section concerning regulations for managing the community of monks and nuns. The Pāli title "parimaṇḍala" means "circle" or "a circle evenly all around," implying even and impartial distribution when allocating property, food, or work in the Sangha community.
The Vinaya was composed to maintain harmony and fairness in the communal life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. This is an important foundation for maintaining the four basic requisites: robes, food, lodging, and medicine, thereby creating the conditions for concentration on the practice of the true Dharma.
Main Content
This discourse establishes the principle of distributing property and food "evenly all around" (parimaṇḍala) within the community of monks and nuns. The term "second" (Dutiya) indicates that this is the second regulation in a series of rules concerning fair allocation.
The basic principle is this: bhikkhus should not accumulate personal property or favor some people over others. When there are common resources, such as food offered by lay supporters or products from communal work, they must be shared in an "even circle all around" manner; that is, there is no "beginning" or "end," and no one is given preference or discrimination.
This reflects the Buddhist philosophy of equality and non-self (anattā). Although bhikkhus may differ in origin, health, or ability, within the community of practice all are equal before the Dharma. Distribution "evenly all around" expresses the ideal of the Sangha as a community without discrimination.
Practical Meaning
The Dutiyaparimaṇḍala discourse teaches that fairness is the foundation of collective ethics. When property is distributed fairly, there is no longer any root for rivalry, jealousy, or resentment within the community.
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