Mpt Np 29Offerings Intended for the Sangha
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pariṇata
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Pariṇata Sutra: Offerings Intended for the Sangha
Background
The Pariṇata Sutra (Pāli: Pariṇata, meaning “transformed” or “transferred”) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the “rules for bhikkhunīs” section, the Bhikkhunī Pāṭimokkha Nidāna. It is an important part of the early Buddhist legal system, where the Buddha and the elders determine the lawful way to make offerings to the Sangha.
This text appears in the context of the Buddha’s guidance to the Sangha concerning rules and ways of offering gifts or property in accordance with the Dharma. This concerns not only economic or practical matters, but also the ethics of donors and the purity of the Sangha when receiving these offerings.
Main Content
The Pariṇata Sutra teaches an important principle: when a donor (upāsaka or upāsikā) offers property, food, or requisites to the Sangha, the donor may clearly designate that the merit from this offering is “transferred” (pariṇata) for a specific purpose, such as for particular bhikkhus, or to help deceased relatives escape painful realms.
The key point is that this “transfer,” the directing of the merit of an offering to other people or other intentions, is recognized by the Buddha as lawful and effective. This reflects a profound principle in Buddhism: merit (puñña) is not something “fixed” or “separate,” but can be directed and transformed through the pure intention (cetanā) of the donor.
The Pātimokkha discipline details the conditions for an offering to be recognized as intended for the Sangha: there must be a clear declaration, it must be witnessed by members of the Sangha, and it must be made with pure intention. If any of these conditions is lacking, the offering is not recognized as proper according to the Dharma (apariṇata).
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